The Great Plant Hunt
Join the 6 out of 10 primary teachers across the UK who have joined The Great Plant Hunt.
You too can spring into action this term with your free primary science resources from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The Great Plant Hunt is a flexible resource clearly mapped to the national curriculum.
If you have the treasure chest that was sent to all UK state maintained primary schools in March 2009 then you are all set to go, otherwise everything you need to take part (plus educational films and fun games) is a simple click away at: www.greatplanthunt.org.
Activities are tailored to each year group and can be used at any time in the academic year, in the classroom, online and outdoors. Together they build into a sustainable set of activities that can be used time and again. Download the Teachers’ Handbook for more details.
How to use The Great Plant Hunt in the Spring and Summer terms…
1. To help you teach the theme of ‘Earth’ for National Science and Engineering Week (12-21 March) The Great Plant Hunt offers safe, stimulating opportunities for school-based enquiry and investigation into native UK plants. Themes include the variation of plant life, habitats, plants as living organisms and the importance of plants in everyday life. The Great Plant Hunt introduces a range of scientific processes, helps build technical skills and understanding and supports the development of critical thinking.
2. Many of the activities will help link your lessons to International Year of Biodiversity 2010. Visit the new section on the website for a Thinking Walk with a variety of life theme.
3. If you are following the Eco-Schools programme and are concentrating on the biodiversity theme, the Great Plant Hunt could help you to gain a bronze, silver or even a green flag award. Linking Eco-Schools to the curriculum is a requirement of the award scheme and you can use the activities to help you do this.
Don’t forget - Great Plant Hunt Week will run again in May. Check the website for full details or receive our e-newsletter by simply emailing us.
