Foundation

For Mon 29^th June

5 things you love about being outside

Over this week, think about 5 things you love about being outside. If you can think of more than 5, even better! If you would like to write them down or perhaps make them into a poster, send them to me at vwalster@st-johns-pri.notts.sch.uk

For Tues 30^th June

Spot a butterfly

There are so many beautiful butterflies around at the moment. When you are outside this week, either in your garden or out for a walk, see if you can spot some. Note what they look like and then try to identify them later: will you see a Meadow Brown or a Peacock, a Red Admiral or a Large White? Wildlife Watch has got a huge range of spotting guides for all sorts of things, not just butterflies, and their website is well worth visiting https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/spotting-sheets

It can be quite tricky to take a picture of a butterfly as they don’t stay still for long but if you do manage to get a photo I’d love to see: vwalster@st-johns-pri.notts.sch.uk

For Wed 1^st July

Ice balloons

Fill an empty balloon with water. Put in some food dye or glitter too if you have them. Make sure there is a good knot in the end then place it in the freezer, preferably overnight. Once it has frozen solid, cut the end off and peel the balloon away and watch it melt outside. It might be fun to guess how long it will take to melt entirely.

For Thurs 2^nd July

Pond dipping

If you are able to visit a stream or pond this week, how about trying some pond dipping? It’s more fun if you can wear willies and actually go in the water but if not you can still have a great time from the edge. Take an empty glass or plastic container with you, dip it in and then have a good, close look at what is in the water. What have you got? Have more tries and see what you can find.

For Fri 3^rd July

Outside height measuring

Ask someone to measure you against a fence or wall or even a shed. Mark your height (probably best in chalk or pencil) then measure everyone else in the family in the same place so that you can compare heights. If it’s something that you want to make permanent, you could repeat this again in a few months and see how much different family members have grown.

For Mon 22^nd June

Mushroom Hunt

After all the rain we’ve had lately, there will be lots of different types of fungi growing. When you are out on a walk this week, try and spot some then take a picture of it and send it to me: vwalster@st-johns-pri.notts.sch.uk

Attached is a fungi hunt sheet which will help you to identify them.

Here are a couple of fungi jokes:

Q: Why did the Mushroom get invited to all the parties? A: Because he’s such a fungi!

Q: Why do toadstools grow so close together? A: They don't need mushroom.
 

For Tues 23^rd June

Nest spotting

Look up and around when you are outside this week. It could be while you are out on a walk, in your garden or outside at school: can you spot any nests? Do you know which birds they belong too? Sometimes it’s possible to find empty egg shells on the ground and these could help you to work out who the nest belongs too. Photos of any that you find would be great to see:  vwalster@st-johns-pri.notts.sch.uk

For Wed 24^th June

Make a rain gauge

It looks like it might get wet again at the end of this week so why not make your own rain gauge and see each day how many centimetres of rainfall we get. Some examples are attached of how you might like to do this but probably the easiest is to cut the top off a plastic bottle and then use a ruler and a pen (permanent/waterproof would be best but don’t worry if you haven’t got one) to mark your measurements on the side. If you have one, you could always just put a measuring jug outside!

For Thurs 25^th June

Make your own boat to float

Make the most of the puddles, or a stream or lake when you go out and about, and make your own boat to float. It can be as simple as just  1 leaf or you could get creative and design your own. Another idea is to make an origami boat out of paper (they really do float) and then have races with them! Here’s a link for how to make an origami boat:

http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-boat.html

For Fri 26^th June

Rain art

Rain can actually make beautiful art – try it! Use felt tips or paint to either create a picture or else just make a series or dots or lines on paper. It’s best to then lie your masterpiece on a tray or a plate before placing it outside and seeing what the rain will do it.

For Mon 15^th June

3D animal projection

Go outside with an android phone and take some pictures of yourself with pandas, tigers and sea turtles! This is so much fun and I would love to see your pictures: vwalster@st-johns-pri.notts.sch.uk

Here’s how to do it:

Start with a standard Google search for your favourite animal on your smartphone or tablet.

Scroll down until you find a new white box that says “Meet a life-sized [animal] up close.” with an animation of said animal under the wikipedia info.

Click on the little “view in 3D” icon to the left of the animal within the box.

At this point your screen will change like a pop-out window.

You’ll need to wiggle your phone about a bit until the animal appears.

For Tues 16^th June

Go barefoot

On a grassy area, take off your shoes and socks and connect to the earth by going barefoot. How does is feel? Try pouring some water on the grass to make it really wet – how does it feel now? Ask if you are allowed first then try walking barefoot on the soil and even on some pebbles/gravel. Which felt best?

For Wed 17^th June

Watch a wildlife webcam

There are some amazing things to watch on wildlife webcams from badgers to bats and from puffins to ospreys. Take a look and then when you are on a walk this week be extra observant and see if you can spot any new wildlife, or traces of it, that you hadn’t noticed before.

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/webcams

For Thur 18^th June

Jump in  puddle

It looks like we might get some rain today so make the most of it and find some puddles to jump and splash in.

For Fri 19^th June

Admire a tree

Looks carefully at some trees and decide which one you like best. Do you like its shape, size, bark, leaves? Have a go at identifying it:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2020/03/tree-id-kids/

If you’re stuck inside
· Tune into some of our wildlife webcams!

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/webcams
· Take a look at our fun indoor-based activity sheets

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/looking-after-yourself-and-nature
· Learn something new! Check out our identification pages and brush up on your skills https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife/how-identify

Mon 8^th June

Take a meal outside

Or even just enjoy a snack outside. If it’s raining, can you build a shelter to stay dry?

Tues 9^th June

Sit for a while and record what you see

If it is too wet to go out, what can you see through the window? Birds often come onto grass when it is raining to hunt for worms.

Wed 10^th June

Sketch something from nature

I’d love to see what you draw. Send your pictures to me at vwalster@st-johns-pri.notts.sch.uk

Thurs 11^th June

Identify a wildflower

When you are out on a walk, try and learn the name of at least one wildflower: there are so many great names such as foxgloves, cow parsley, buttercups.

Fri 12^th June

Stay up late and see the stars

This website has some good information or why not look up what is happening with Spacex today.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/stargazing