“Hello Chloe, 
I took your ideas to our staff meeting last night. The staff liked your ideas and it did remind us that we need to get on and sort the pond out! So go ahead and let me know anyway we can help.”
The above email was received this morning (6th October) and was such a rewarding email to read. This email had the power to both motivate and enthuse the group, instilling in us the faith in our project that had previously been battered through some of the speed bumps we had encountered. We were once again reminded as to why we were doing this, why we were allowing ourselves the time away from our dissertations, but the answer is simple…we are here to make change happen in whichever form that may be.
You may be curious about the progress we have made so far since our last blog post.
Whilst the term nature trail has been thrown around and questioned, with the help of the school, we have ultimately decided to create an interactive nature trail using QR codes on the trees and different resources in each area e.g.. accessories for pond dipping, white boards, fairy doors and more goodies. This nature trail was to then be accompanied by a teacher resource guide to be filled with inspirational outdoor activity ideas with national curriculum ideas and ultimately instilling our key philosophy themes of promoting curiosity and creativity, to be engaging and overall to be motivating for both staff and pupils.
As one University lecturer said we are making a change for not only the children, but the teachers as well. Changing the school ethos and approach to outside learning by giving them the opportunities and inspiration to use the outside area they are so blessed to have.
Ultimately, this week was focused on brainstorming, with Jemma and Emma researching possible activities (we each now have very full Onedrive folders) and curriculum links, Lauren visited the school to take some more pictures of specific areas and trees which we all said we required whilst I attended M&M. The focus this week was on reflective writing, in which we were educated Driscoll’s model of reflection which focuses on the What? So what? and What now? approaches of reflection. A very helpful session and a very productive week overall.
Success of the week:
The feedback from the school about our ideas. This allows to progress forward with our ideas confidently and ensure we are meeting the need of the school.
Challenge of the week:
Ensuring the whole group was on the same page when it came to our ideas and understanding of the project.
Weekly wisdom quote:
‘We all understand that we can’t always give 100%. But when someone can only give 9%, someone else gives the other 91%.‘When discussing the art of group work, Jemma said the above quote. It was interesting to hear and made me appreciate the mutual understanding and respect that we are showing each other during this project.
Because lets face it, year 3 is a challenge enough on its own!
Chloe
Making Change Happen 