Introducing the file

Welcome to the ‘Walking with Beetles File of Educational Activities’. This section of the File provides some background information and explains the layout and content of the File sections.

Origin of the File
Objectives of the File
Target Audience
File Format
The Lesson Plans
The Worksheets
Summary of Educational Activities
Teachers Notes
File Resources
Copyright
Supplements
Code of Conduct for Outdoor Activities
Health & Safety Considerations
Further Local Information

Origin of the File

This File forms part of the ‘Walking with Beetles’ initiative, developed by the London Borough of Bromley, as part of the SUN Project. The initiative is funded by the ‘Transport for London 5 Year Investment Programme’ and the EU LIFE Environment Programme. Education is one of the themes of the initiative, as indicated in the diagram below.



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Objectives of the File

Purpose

The objective of the File is to provide an educational resource:
• with a local focus – The Beck Corridor,
• that integrates and promotes biodiversity, walking and sustainable transport ,
• that is relevant to both inside and outside of the classroom.

The Beck Corridor

The ‘Beck Corridor’ is a loosely defined area in the vicinity of ‘The Beck’ river, chosen to bring attention to the value that green spaces can give to a locality. Green spaces, whether they be gardens, sports grounds or parks, connect together. They provide ‘green corridors’ or networks of green spaces which can provide food, shelter and nesting places for plants and animals naturally occurring in the area. These corridors provide additional benefits that contribute to our quality of life too. In the context of this File, the Beck Corridor provides the ‘case study’ on which the activities are based.

Delivery

The objectives are to be delivered by two means:
Walking with Beetles…to School!
• Provision of activities for 7-11 year olds led by parents/carers and Walking Bus Coordinators.

Walking with Beetles…at School!
• Provision of teacher-led activities during school time.

In the former case, Key Stage 2 teachers have opportunity to encourage students to do ‘Walking with Beetles…to School!’ activities during their own time as well as link the activities with formal National Curriculum teaching. ‘Walking with Beetles…to School!’ is also marketed independently of the File. Please see the ‘Walking to School Activities’ section in this File.

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Target Audience

The File has been produced for teachers delivering Core Subjects and Foundation Subjects at:
• Key Stage 1 (Years 1-2, Ages 5-7),
• Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6, Ages 7-11),
• Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9, Ages 11-14).

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File Format

The educational activities have been presented in a File incorporating hole-punched material in order to:
• enable photocopying,
• ease sharing of resources amongst teachers,
• encourage the addition of further material by teachers.

The File has 8 sections separated by colour dividers. Sheets within each section are also colour-coded. An index of the sections, incorporating shortened titles, can be found on the front cover of the File.

In addition to this first section ‘Introducing the Walking with Beetles File’, the sections are:
• Walking with Beetles…to School Activities for Key Stage 2
• Walking with Beetles…at School Lesson Plans & Worksheets for Key Stage 1
• Walking with Beetles…at School Lesson Plans & Worksheets for Key Stage 2
• Walking with Beetles…at School Lesson Plans & Worksheets for Key Stage 3
• Teachers’ Notes for Walking with Beetles…at School
• File Resources for Walking with Beetles…at School
• Supplements

As well as printed material, the following will be available at www.bromleybiodiversity.co.uk
• ‘read only’ lesson plans for printing additional copies,
• ‘read only’ worksheets for printing additional copies or using as part of whiteboard presentations;
• ‘read only’ teachers’ notes for the printing of additional copies;
• photographic images to enable whiteboard presentation, handouts or printing off for display purposes;
The printed pack contains a disc incorporating a powerpoint presentation which may be used by schools as part of staff meetings, goverors meetings or parent-teacher-association meetings. It may be possible to email this to you. Please contact conservation@bromley.gov.uk. The CD also incorporates some maps which may also be available on request.

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The Lesson Plans

Lesson Plans may be found in the KS1, KS2 and KS3 File Sections and an index plans and worksheets is provided at the start of each section. However, we emphasise that every Lesson Plan has suggestions on how it may be adapted for the remaining two Key Stages.

The Lesson Plans are presented in a uniform fashion throughout the File. The order and level of detail provided under each heading is indicated below.

Header
The header indicates the name of the lesson plan to the left. In a box to the right, you will find the number of the lesson plan and beneath, the expected duration of the lesson.

Links to NC
This section indicates the links to the National Curriculum. In Key Stages 1 and 2, you will find that the lesson usually aims to satisfy one or more attainment targets in one or more subjects. Consultation with teachers indicated that this would be most helpful. Key Stage 3 lesson plans tend to focus on one subject only.

Theme
All the lessons are locally relevant to Beckenham or the Borough. Five themes provide a basis for the File. At least one of the themes is satisfied by each lesson plan. The themes are:
• Travel (human & biodiversity)
• Transport links
• Green space connections
• Threats and opportunities for biodiversity living alongside people
• Recording/monitoring/observation of/listening to biodiversity

Learning Aim
This statement encapsulates the educational purpose of the lesson.

Learning Outcomes
These are statements indicating what students should achieve as a result of the lesson, with regard to their knowledge, understanding, skills, capabilities or values.

Resources
This incorporates three elements:
• Teachers’ Notes.
The lesson plan indicates which Teachers’ Notes would be useful to read prior to delivery of the lesson.
• Worksheet
An indication is given as to whether the Lesson Plan has an associated worksheet. The name and number of the worksheet is indicated here. Each worksheet is placed immediately after each Lesson Plan.
• Additional
An indication is given as to the range of other resources required to deliver the lesson. Some are indicated as optional. Indication is given as to whether the resource is provided in the File itself under the ‘File Resources’ section.

Preparation
This part of the Lesson Plan highlights key preparation requirements by the teacher before the lesson commences.

Introduction
Here, an indication is given of how the topic and lesson may be introduced to the students. It provides a suggested lead-in to the lesson.

Main Activity
An indication is given as to whether students are to work individually, in groups or as a class, how the main part of the lesson ‘works’ and suggested questions to help students meet the learning aim and outcomes.

Plenary
This provides a suggestion of how the teacher is to sum up the lesson and relate it to the learning aim and outcomes.

Assessment
This provides advice on how teachers can check whether the students have understood the lesson. The assessment may be made through: ongoing observation throughout the lesson; the quality of responses during discussion or completion of a worksheet; the provision of an additional activity.

Problems
This section indicates any problems that may be encountered and how to solve them. This may include: assumptions about knowledge; practical difficulties in accomplishing the lesson; adapting lessons according to ability; specific health & safety issues.

Extension
Suggestions are given as to how the lesson plan may be extended in the classroom, outdoors at school and at home for that Key Stage.

KS Differentiation
A clear outline is given as to how the lesson plan itself may be adapted so that it may be used for the remaining two Key Stages.

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The Worksheets

The Worksheets are presented in a uniform fashion throughout the File. The header indicates the name of the Worksheet to the left. In a box to the right, you will find the number of the Worksheet. The Worksheets are placed alongside the relevant lesson plan. They may be photocopied as required.

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Summary of Educational Activities

How the Lesson Plans relate to the National Curriculum Subjects is provided in the Summary Table that follows. At the start of each Key Stage section, you will find a summary table of Lesson Plans and Worksheets for that Key Stage.

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Teachers’ Notes

All Teachers’ Notes may be found in a separate section of the File. These notes are designed to provide background information to support lesson delivery with confidence. Each Teachers’ Note may be relevant to more than one subject and usually more than one Lesson Plan. Each note ends in a list of suggested resources.

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File Resources

Maps, aerial photographs and photographs relevant to a number of the lesson plans are provided in this part of the File. In addition, a list of generic resources or websites is also provided. Please refer to ‘Copyright’ details below for special considerations.

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Copyright

The Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Teachers’ Notes may be photocopied from the File.

Photographs
The photographs provided in the ‘File Resource’ section may be used for the purposes of displays or as part of lesson delivery, but may not be used as part of any other publicity material or profit-making activities by the school. Photographs will also be available at www.bromleybiodiversity.co.uk and added to in the future.

Modern maps
Under the terms of the Ordnance Survey Licence Agreement 100017661, borough and grant –maintained schools may photocopy the copyright maps as required for the purposes of lesson delivery and display. However, independent schools within the Borough are not covered by the terms of the agreement. If they wish to produce multiple copies of the maps, this must be done by licence arrangement between the individual school and Ordnance Survey (Tel: 08456 05 05 05). The Licence Agreement does not cover the use of the maps as part of publicity material or profit-making activities by any school. Copies of these maps form part of the published Files, including their CDs.

Historic maps
Under the terms of the Landmark Information Group (Licence Number 100017661), borough and grant-maintained schools may photocopy the copyright maps as requires for the purposes of lesson delivery and display. However, independent schools within the Borough are not covered by the terms of the agreement. If they wish to produce multiple copies of the maps, this must be done by licence arrangement between the individual school and Landmark Information Group (Tel: 01392 441 738). The licence agreement does not cover the use of the maps as part of publicity material or profit-making activities by any school. Copies of these maps form part of the published Files, including their CDs.

Aerial photographs
Under the terms of the Cities Revealed Licence Agreement 100017661, borough and grant –maintained schools may photocopy the aerial photographs as required for the purposes of lesson delivery and display. However, independent schools within the Borough are not covered by the terms of the agreement. If they wish to produce multiple copies of the aerial photographs, this must be done by licence arrangement between the individual school and Cities Revealed. The Licence Agreement does not cover the use of the aerial photographs as part of publicity material or profit-making activities by any school. Copies of these maps form part of the published Files, including their CDs.

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Supplements

On production of the File, the section entitled ‘Supplements’ is empty! Its purpose is to provide space for teachers to:
• source and include their own resource material and information,
• devise and include their own lesson plans and worksheets that relate to biodiversity and sustainable travel,
• include future lesson plans and worksheets that may be devised by the London Borough of Bromley.

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Code of Conduct for Outdoor Activities

• Consider the impact surveys might have on biodiversity in parks and other publicly accessible open spaces; seek permission from the Council or other authority where appropriate.
• Seek permission from the relevant landowner before undertaking visits or survey work on privately-owned land.
• Don’t make unnecessary noise. This may disturb wildlife and disrupt the enjoyment of green space by other members of the public.
• Respect habitats as ‘animal homes’.
• Avoid collecting biodiversity. If this is necessary, ensure sampling is small, that techniques used are not destructive to individual species or habitats and that samples are returned from where they came.
• Avoid unnecessary trampling of habitats. Stick to paths wherever possible.
• Follow guidance notices displayed at the green space site, where this exists.
• Observe bye-laws and legislation.
• Stay safe.
• Ensure all equipment and litter is taken away with you.
• Where undertaking activities within the wider countryside, follow the Countryside Code.

Visit www.kew.org/education/wildlifezone/index.html ‘Attitudes and Behaviour in Wildlife Habitats’ for further information about addressing attitudes and fears and developing a sense of care and responsibility amongst students.
Visit www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk for details of the Countryside Code.

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Health & Safety Considerations

The activities within the pack are diverse. It is the responsibility of each teacher and school to consider the health & safety implications of activities within their classroom and school environment, or in the context of lessons held outside of school grounds. Each school must apply its own existing Risk Assessments and Policies. Additional Risk Assessments should be drawn up for the Lesson Plans outlined within the File as necessary. Where relevant, each school need also consider insurance arrangements in relation to the Lesson Plans. Please see the following table which outlines a Generic Risk Assessment for the Lesson Plans within this File.

Visit www.kew.org/education/wildlifezone/index.html ‘Health and Safety’ for suggested approaches to identifying hazards and drawing up risk assessments.

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Further Local Information

For more information about the ‘Walking with Beetles File of Educational Activities’ contact conservation@bromley.gov.uk or ring 01689 862 815

Bromley’s Biodiversity
The London Borough of Bromley has a richness of species in both its urban and rural areas. To find out more about habitats and species in the Borough, places to visit, local organisations or ways in which people of all ages can help biodiversity locally, visit www.bromleybiodiversity.co.uk – the place for local people on local wildlife.

The SUN Project
SUN Project (short for Sustainable Urban Networks for Green Spaces) is funded by the EU LIFE Environment Programme. As one of seven partners, the London Borough of Bromley has been looking at ways of further engaging the public in helping wildlife or ‘biodiversity’. This File forms one element of SUN’s ‘Beck Corridor Project’. Visit www.bromleybiodiversity.co.uk. for more details. (Project ended 2006)

Transport for London
TfL considers the walking environment to be a key aspect of the quality of life for those who visit, live and work in London. As part of its role, TfL promotes ‘School Travel Plans. These include programmes which aim to: encourage more people to walk and cycle to school safely; improve road safety and reduce child casualties, improve children’s health and development; reduce traffic congestion andpollution. TfL also oversees and promotes cycling and the use of public transport in London by the wider public. Visit www.tfl.gov.uk to find out more.

Green Chain Educational Resource Pack
This is a web-based facility which aims to encourage teachers to use 20 green spaces along the Green Chain as a basis for outdoor educational visits. Lesson plans, risk assessments and Teachers’ Notes are included. Visit www.greenchain.com/education to find out more.

A Walk for All Seasons
Education pack incorporating suggested walks and educational activities in the Cudham Valley, in the vicinity of the Cudham Environmental Activities Centre, which is run by The Woodcraft Folk. For details email: cudham@woodcraft.org.uk (Printed May 2007).

Darwin at Downe
An education strategy has been developed for the promotion of Charles Darwin and his work at Downe amongst schools and other educational establishments at home and abroad. A bid to secure World Heritage Site status for ‘Darwin at Downe’ has been submitted to UNESCO. For further details visit www.darwinatdowne.co.uk and www.darwinswildlife.co.uk.

BEECHE Centre
High Elms Country Park is located between Farnborough and Downe and comprises 80 hectares of woodland, grassland and ponds. Part of the role of this Local Nature Reserve is to promote appreciation and educational learning in the outdoor environment. The Bromley Environmental Education Centre at High Elms (BEECHE), to be opened in early 2008, will provide facilities for school visits, supported by rangers and qualified teachers. For further details ring 01689 862815. It may be possible to use lesson plans in this File as part of pre-visit activities or as follow-up to an arranged visit.

Crystal Palace Park
A Victorian 80 hectares park situated in the very north-west of the Borough, incorporating the National Sports Centre, the world’s first life-size model prehistoric animals, remains of Italian Terraces on the site of the former Crystal Palace, a 130 year old maze, children’s playground and a cafe. The park features as part of the ‘Green Chain Educational Resource Directory’ at www.greenchain.com/education. The park is open from 7.30am until sunset each day of the year (the ‘dinosaur area’ opens at 9.30am). Schools are offered escorted tours of the ‘Dinosaurs’, ‘Wildlife & Nature Garden’ and ‘The Park’s Victorian History to Present Day’ by the Crystal Palace Park Rangers. These walks & talks can include a slide/powerpoint presentation and associated art & craft activities. Visits are normally 1-2 hours and are accommodated on a pre- booked basis. Limited building space means that numbers are restricted per visit. Teachers may also wish to promote the park’s ‘Dino Club’ and ‘Nature Club’ for ages 7 - 11 to students for out-of-school weekend activities. For further details of the walks and clubs, contact the Crystal Palace Park Rangers on 020 8778 9612. It may be possible to use lesson plans in this File as part of pre-visit activities or as follow-up to an arranged visit.

Learning and Achievement in Schools Team
The team provides on-going support to schools on areas relating to school improvement and raising standards. This includes specialist support for all curriculum areas, professional development training for teachers, staff and governors, consultancy and guidance on interpreting new legislation and implementing government initiatives. The service plays a key role in supporting the work of those in schools to achieve the aim of developing each pupil to his/her potential – physically, emotionally, spiritually, academically and socially . The team forms part of Bromley’s Council’s Children and Young People Services (CYPS), which was established in 2006. For more information visit www.bromley.gov.uk/education/standards. The team is based at: Bromley Education Development Centre, Church Lane, Princes Plain, Bromley BR2 8LD. Telephone: 020 8462 8911, Fax: 020 8461 6286, Email:edc.admin@bromley.gov.uk

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