Navigation and Exploration
Focus: Map skills, spatial awareness, problem solving
Orientation
Independent thinking – Teamwork -Communication
During this active 1-hour session, (best aligned with the key stage 2 curriculum but also available to year 2) children work in pairs to use photo clues to find 10 locations around the site. This encourages children to look up around them and spot landmarks.
Mapping
Independent thinking – Teamwork - Knowledge
During this active 1-hour session, the children will work in pairs using a map to find 10 locations around the site. Key skills for reading a map are covered in this session which is best aligned with the key stage 2 curriculum.
Gnome Caching
Teamwork – Communication - Time Management
During this 1-hour session, children carry out some map making skills and look at the key elements needed in a map. They name their gnome and hide it in the grounds. The challenge is then to draw a map to show where the gnome is hidden; another pair will use their map to locate the hidden gnome. This session is best aligned with the key stage 2 curriculum.
Orienteering
Knowledge - Time management - Independent thinking
The aim of this session is for children to be able to set and follow a bearing on a compass. This can either be selected as a 1-hour session or a 2-hour session. Within both sessions, children will be taught how to use a compass, set a bearing and complete an orienteering course.
One-hour session – a simple short course is followed around the hard-court area. An opportunity to practise the skills learnt.
Two-hour session – a ten-point course is followed around the conservation area. The children will complete a practise run before coming back to complete the BIG RACE.
This session is most suitable for key stage 2 learners.
Migration
Independent thinking – Teamwork - Knowledge
The aims of this session are:
- To understand and use four figure grid references.
- To understand what migration is and why birds migrate.
During this 2-hour session, children will learn about migration, focusing on swifts. In pairs, they will first be introduced to using a map of the grounds by completing a shortened version of our mapping session. They will then use a map and 4-figure grid references to find plastic pigeons located across the site. These will give them instructions to move across our game board depending on the dangers and help they find. Along the way, they will use a range of information to find the answer to migration related questions. Who can make it across their migratory route?
This session is most suitable for upper key stage 2 learners.
Stubbington Fox
Teamwork – Communication - Knowledge
The aim of this 2-hour session (best aligned with the key stage 2 curriculum) is to understand the reasons for the adaptations of different small mammals. The children will begin by collecting the ‘hotel rooms’ they put out the previous afternoon. A member of Stubbington staff will then open each room so that children can see their guests. A class record of each mammal covering species, body length, tail length and mass will be created, and the children can be involved in taking these measurements. It will also be possible to identify the sex of each mammal referring to annotated diagrams (the level of vocabulary and discussion will be decided on collaboration with the lead teacher).
After a short break, the children will return to the classroom and carry out some work focused on looking closely at the mammals and their adaptations. This second part is led by the visiting staff, but worksheets and books are available.
This session is often preceded, on the previous day, by a Tracks and Signs Session and Mammal Hotel Set-up.