At Stoke Gabriel Primary and Preschool we relish the opportunity to take our learning outside. We use outdoor space as an extension of our classrooms, to deepen learning and appreciate the benefits of working in nature. We develop the whole child through this approach and enhance our curriculum experiences. We are constantly developing our space, learning how the children can use this effectively and how the seasons change our outdoor learning experiences.
Our outdoor learning can be both child and adult-led and we foster curiosity and exploration. We encourage large movement, sensory play and expressive approaches to learning as well as calm experiences and more structured learning opportunities outside. We develop confidence, resilience and problem solving through positive outdoor experiences.
Our outdoor learning happens in and around our school and is inclusive of all learners for all areas of the curriculum.
May 2025
6th May
Today the children took part in activities linked to VE Day. They used collage and natural objects to decorate the number 80, made union jack flags and decorated sticks using red, white and blue wool. The children also enjoyed setting up running races and now the trees are in full spring we also identified the different trees we have in our outdoor learning space using a checklist.
April 2025
1st April
This week we celebrated Easter by going on an Easter egg hunt around the outdoor learning area. We were excited to find a surprise inside the eggs! We practised our fine motor skills by using different coloured wool to thread and decorate eggs.
22nd April
Ladybirds and Bumblebees celebrated Earth Day by looking after our environment. They went on a litter pick around the village to make sure Stoke Gabriel is clean and tidy. Back at the field the children used their hands to make a painting of the world. They made nature crowns by collecting dandelions, daisies and other natural items to decorate their crowns.
29th April
Today we picked lots of dandelions and used them as paint brushes to paint pictures. The children have also been loving hunting for bugs and found lots of worms, woodlice and even a centipede under the logs. We really enjoyed blowing bubbles and chasing them as they blew across the field.
"I liked finding all those woodlice"
"We used some cereal and pipe cleaners to make bird feeders"
"I found a ginormous, fat centipede"
March 2025
4th March
This week, we decorated sticks with ribbon, bottle tops and wool to hang from the trees. We made bird feeders by threading hooped cereal onto pipe cleaners and then hung them in the trees for the birds to eat. We hope to see some wildlife enjoying these treats!
11th March
The children used a variety of tools to create their own chalk paint. They then used the chalk paint they had made to decorate the tree trunks.
The children enjoyed playing parachute games which helped us to practise our listening skills and our gross motor movements.
18th March
This week the children enjoyed hunting for minibeasts. They used magnifying glasses and pots to collect the different bugs that they could find. We also used sticks and wool to make magic wands by wrapping the wool around the stick.
25th March
Today, the children enjoyed bubble play by making their own bubble wands. They used different items as wands to create the bubbles and enjoyed watching as bubbles of different sizes floated away.
Bumblebees collected lots of different flowers on a walk which we used to print onto cloth using log slices. There was also lots of gross motor play with the tyres, pipes and frames.
"I like finding bugs"
"We found sticks, made a den and sat in it"
February 2025
25th February
The children planted seeds in old welly boots, we are looking forward to seeing the flowers bloom in the summer. We also enjoyed building dens using sticks and painting rocks with lots of pretty patterns and colours.