I really enjoyed working with the group who came to Cornwood after school yesterday  for my ‘Playground Maths’ course and the feedback was very encouraging. Many thanks to Simon Hall (Executive Head and his staff for use of their facilities and equipment) Here are just a few quotes from the feedback forms.

‘Great ideas generated for Key stage 1 and 2’ – ‘Inspirational thank you’ Marie from Woodfield Primary

‘All were activities that are easily managed, resourced and replicated’ Neal from Manor Primary, Ivybridge

‘Lots of good ideas prompted by David and others on the course’ Mike from Hooe Primary

‘Great ideas for using equipment that is around the school’ Trish from Salisbury Road

‘Really useful session – lots of ideas to take back to staff’ Sarah from St Pauls, Plymouth

The weather was perfect yesterday for a walk (run and play) from Belstone, up to Belstone Tors and back along the Taw Valley. This International group were great fun to be with and included children and young people from Lithuania, Spain, Italy and Okehampton along with accompanying staff. The feedback was great and the children’s command of English impressive!

I am looking forward to running my ‘Playground Maths’ course at Cornwood Primary School on Thursday 28th March 2019. It’s a twilight course costing only £20 pp. Further details can be had by emailing outsideandbeyond1@gmail.com. (Closing date Thursday 21st March) Please state if you came across this via this website.

Many thanks,

David

This poem was created by ‘Playground Literacy’ workshop members at the SOLID conference at Buckfast Abbey. It emerged from a group exercise using prepositions – apologies that I am unable to name-check the authors.

Under the Ancient Abbey

Under the ancient abbey lies an unopened tomb of a lost queen.

Through time she had travelled, through stars and galaxies.

Towards the moon she flew, her skin sparkled and her dark locks flowed like a comet.

Until her invisible earthly bonds drew her back to the ancient abbey.

Inside the abbey that she has guarded since her untimely death.

Over her tomb you should never tread, if you do you’ll end up dead!

The name might not survive for long but the conference at Buckfast on Friday was thoroughly enjoyable. It was a great chance to meet teachers interested in developing outdoor learning in their schools.

As there was a literacy theme I ran a ‘Playground Literacy’ workshop which, starting from children’s motivation to play gave different ideas to play with words and sentences. These were often nonsense (which children love) or almost poetic! (there is a fine line.)

The highlight was the session on ‘The Lost Words’ when the artist talked to us and we worked in groups as she created beautiful pictures in front of us.

Already looking forward to next year.