A to Z of places to learn – I-K

Whether you bring the jungle into the classroom, or cast yourselves away on an island, there’s a big wide world out there to explore, say Russell Grigg and Helen Lewis...

Jj

IS FOR JUNGLE

Why bother?

The jungle’s sense of adventure, exotic tales and variety of animal and plant life are likely to appeal to children of all ages. For example, they can be fascinated by the Amazon river dolphin or how the Arrow people live in remote jungle areas. Much of our food and other goods originate from the jungle, including sugar, bananas, chewing gum, tea, mahogany, teak and balsa. Many medicinal products such as painkillers are derived from tropical plants.

According to some sources, between one and one-half acres of rainforest are lost every second. Children can discuss the impact this has on indigenous peoples, their environment and the rest of the world.

Resource ideas

Use bamboo, rubber plants, fabric, jungle sounds, soft toy animals and string to transform the classroom or part of the school into a jungle. Ask children to research, design and create this space so that it reflects the flora and fauna they would find.

Species such as tree frogs and leaf cutter ants have specialised features for feeding, moving, protection etc. Find out about their adaptations. Create ‘Top Trumps’ cards based on these.

Go on a ‘jungle safari’. Place clues such as footprints around the environment, leading to creatures hiding in the undergrowth. Kit the children out with binoculars, notebooks, cameras and animal footprint guides. Ask them to track, find and record the different creatures they encounter.

Chameleons are masters of disguise (and use their colours to talk to other chameleons – a starting point for exploration into forms of communication). What would you wear if you were trying to camouflage yourself in the jungle? Create stick insects out of pipe cleaners or modelling wire and hide them amongst the plants outdoors. Can your friends find them?

Inspired by the television programme I’m a Celebrity, create a jungle café. Design and print menus for different customers, such as sloths, anteaters and jaguars. Create ‘caterpillar kebabs’ using fruits and sweets – developing a sense of pattern and fine motor skills. For the brave, try real insects such as ‘BBQ Crispy Critters’, available from suppliers across the UK.

As well as the beautiful flowers and giant leaves many jungle plants display, the carnivorous plants that grow there will fascinate. Plant, grow and care for these, and explore the ingenious ways in which they trap their prey.

Use collections of natural objects in small boxes and containers to create a ‘nature jukebox’ of jungle sounds. Explore plumage, pattern and song of jungle birds. Try instruments such as slide whistles, recorders, tambourines and claves that could sound like different birds.

Tips for success

1 Visit garden centres, ‘hothouses’, zoos and wildlife parks to see examples of tropical plants and creatures, discussing the ethics of conservation.

2 Consider approaching animal handling companies to provide hands-on workshops

Ii

IS FOR ISLAND

Why bother?

Islands have played an important role throughout history and stories of explorers can be exciting starting points for learning.

The Galapagos Islands are a World Heritage site, famed for the unique flora and fauna that lives there. Descendants of the mutiny on the ill-fated Bounty inhabit the remote Pitcairn islands. And tropical paradises have inspired the work of artists such as Gaugin.

Great Britain, itself an island, has more than 6000 smaller islands around its coastline, offering diverse features to explore. Greek islands such as Mykonos are the backdrop for many myths and legends. Fictional adventures on islands include Robinson Crusoe, but are not limited to distant settings.

The adventures of Katie Morag on the Isle of Struay in Scotland provide some excellent starting points to develop children’s sense of place and community.

Resource ideas

Have a tropical island party. Write and send invitations; create a shopping list; budget and buy the provisions (online or in person); dress up in beachwear; create leis (Hawaiian flower necklaces); and design and eat tropical fruit kebabs. Prepare healthy cocktails complete with paper umbrellas. Compose, perform and evaluate traditional music (e.g. Sing Me a Story! Song and Dance Tales from the Caribbean by Grace Hallworth). Play beach games and write postcards home. At the end of a busy day, lie down on beach towels, pop on sunglasses and relax to some traditional tales.

Older children can explore facts and figures, comparing and contrasting features such as population, size, climate and location.

Where would they choose to live and why? What clothing and supplies would they need to visit different locations? What business could they set up on different islands and why?

Find out about famous explorers, the islands they discovered and what life would be like without their discoveries. Create biographies, fact files and record a This Is Your Life style account. Consider myths and realities associated with famous pirates such as Henry Morgan, Blackbeard and Grace O’Malley.

Tips for success

1 Visiting an island such as Caldey Island in Pembrokeshire or Lundy Island in Devon can be an inspirational experience for children.

2 The Human Planet has examples of what life is like on islands around the world (bbc.co.uk/nature/human planetexplorer).

Kk

IS FOR KITCHEN

Why bother?

The kitchen is an excellent place for children of all ages to practice mathematical skills. They can measure ingredients, count vegetables, cut cake into equal parts, and set timers. These experiences will help to build an understanding of abstract mathematical concepts.

What would life have been like in a Roman, Tudor or Victorian kitchen? What sorts of menus would have been prepared, and who would have enjoyed the feasts? Trying to read and understand menus from times past may provide some engaging literacy activities.

Food is a major part of many festivals and celebrations around the world. For instance, cook Nian Goa fruitcake to celebrate Chinese New Year, ‘eight treasure’ rice for Buddhist festivals, or latkes for Hanukkah. Explore the significance of the traditional dishes that are made.

Resource ideas

For younger children, set up the role-play area as a kitchen in a house, restaurant or café. Take orders, prepare dishes and deal with customers and their money. Find out the class’ favourite sandwiches and make these to go on a teddy bears’ picnic.

The marketing and advertising of food is big business. Set up The Apprentice style tasks for older children to design, package and market new foods. Explore persuasive language and consider whether ‘two for one’ offers do really provide the best deals. Many stories have links to food. Imagine the factory kitchen in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – design and taste ‘Lickable Wallpaper’ using rice paper, sweets and fruit. Create menus for different characters in stories; for example, try some exciting new porridge varieties for Goldilocks or a feast for the Big Bad Wolf.

Carry out some investigations: how do your senses affect your taste? Can you taste without seeing? Smelling? Does cauliflower dyed purple or red taste different to white? Observe closely what happens to a piece of bread or fruit left out over several days.

Food is depicted in many works of art throughout history. These can be discussed and recreated or used as a source of inspiration - for example, foodnetwork.co.uk/FoodArt

Tips for success

1 Collect recipes from different countries from the internet or ask children to bring in their family’s favourite recipe. Hold a ‘mini master chef’ event to taste some family favourites.

2 Get involved in national projects like those organised during British Food Fortnight (ovebritishfood.co.uk)