A new toolkit from researchers at the University of Aberdeen reveals how trees in school grounds and nearby woodlands can power learning across the Curriculum for Excellence.
Building on the Scottish Government’s Learning for Sustainability initiative, researchers worked with teachers and young people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire for two years to co-develop the toolkit, ‘A Treescapes Curriculum’.
Comprising a collection of tree-based activities for learners between early years and S3, all 26 activities in the toolkit are anchored to specific areas of the CfE, from maths and science to art and drama. The toolkit also sets out ways in which learning with trees enables interdisciplinary learning and learning for sustainability – key aims across the CfE subject areas.
The toolkit is underpinned by creative approaches to learning. For example, the researchers found that woods are a rich setting for activities such as telling stories using found materials like berries and twigs. Children developed observational and interpretive skills through arts activities and connected with local history and their future environments.
Teachers also highlighted that children who were less forthcoming in classrooms did well in these tasks. Science and numeracy activities in the toolkit include tree identification, measuring the height of a tree and learning about types of soil, which are all easily accessible for a range of ages. Den building provides a focus for aspects of technologies.
Teacher Wendy Stewart and others at Forehill Primary in Aberdeen took part in the Treescapes project two years in a row. They worked with University of Aberdeen researchers on a wide variety of workshops across multiple curricular areas.
Wendy said: ‘Our workshops covered a range of experiences and outcomes from the Curriculum for Excellence ranging from art and drama, to science, literacy and numeracy. They took place at a small wood and moors in our local area. Teachers developed their skills in utilising our local area as part of their lessons.
“Learning in a natural environment outwith the classroom was great fun and engaged our pupils across the school. These workshops have been repeated at Forehill as part of our outdoor learning programme.”
Dr Liz Curtis of the University of Aberdeen’s School of Education said: “This project has enabled teachers to identify how learning from trees opens up opportunities for all children to participate and make positive contributions. For me, the research also highlights the importance of slow pedagogy, which values regular and sustained engagement to give children time to deepen their understanding.”
The research team also found some obstacles to outdoor learning with trees. Schools have very different grounds and variable access to good quality environments, especially in central urban areas. Teacher confidence and skills can also be an issue and there may be concerns over health & safety particularly in relation to the numbers of adults required to work with a class in school grounds or outside the school gates.
Dr Jo Vergunst of the School of Social Science at the University added: “Schools and landowners could think more about their environments as learning resources – how about planting a hedge or small wood next to a grass playing field? Trees beside playgrounds or streets can also be really interesting in terms of how they grow. Although getting classes outdoors isn’t always easy, there are plenty of benefits and these kinds of activities can be some of the most memorable times of the year for young people and teachers.”
The research is part of a UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) programme ‘The Future of UK Treescapes’ that aims to understand the environmental and societal benefits of landscapes in which trees play a significant role. The Aberdeen researchers were part of the project ‘Voices of the Future: Collaborating with children and young people to re-imagine treescapes’.
The research team is hosting free Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire with teachers and outdoor educators welcome to join. The Aberdeen event is scheduled for Wednesday 3 June 4-6pm at the Cruickshank Botanic Garden. Details and booking are at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/7423BNhAiT.