Tree Stories Yoga

Tree Stories Yoga was created to accompany a ‘Rooted in Well-being’ workshop run by Jacqui Sinclair for the Tayside OWL group. This little resource focuses on the September Tree Tale, apple, and links the story to simple yoga moves.

This lovely resource was created Jacqui Sinclair using words from the OWL Scotland Tree Stories resource written by Claire Hewitt. Images were created using ChatGPT.

To view the original Tree Stories resource in English click here. To view the Tree Stories resource in Gaelic please click here.

Scotland’s Forest Clans: from Stone Age to Phone Age

Mesolithic clans, Neolithic first foresters and 21st century life. A 6,000-year journey through Scotland’s forests and woodlands. A resource for teachers in Scotland of Curriculum for Excellence Level 2. This resource contains structured activities for teachers which explore the lifestyles of Late Mesolithic hunter gatherers and Early Neolithic foresters and farmers. The final section of this resource explores the similarities and differences in Mesolithic, Neolithic and modern Scottish communities. This provides a great link to Learning for Sustainability.

Scotland’s Forest Clans is based on detailed publications: “Into the Rainforest: Explore the Mesolithic in Scotland’s native woodlands” (2024) and “The First Foresters: Explore the Neolithic in Scotland’s native woodlands” (2019).

Music in the Woods

This resource is for teachers, early years professionals, education practitioners and anyone involved in learning outdoors. It explains how to use wood in an outdoor setting to make several simple musical instruments. It provides information about the nature of wood and how to use tools to create the instruments; as well as suggested follow-on games and activities which support the learning context across the curriculum. The resource can be expanded upon to learn more about wood, woodlands, music and if relevant other associated curricular links.

Taking Maths Outdoors with your Child

This booklet introduces some games and activities you can play with young children when out and about together to encourage learning new maths skills in the wonderful outdoors. This resource was created by Dumfries and Galloway OWL Group.

Taking Literacy Outdoors with Your Child

Activities and ideas for early years settings, parents and carers of children to inspire and help develop literacy skills in young children using the wonderful natural environment. This resource was created by Dumfries and Galloway OWL Group.

Ogham

Using the ancient tree alphabet in outdoor learning. In this resource the Ogham alphabet, letters and calendar is explained further along with a range of fun activities to run with participants. Activities includes writing your name in Ogham, writing a secret message, Orien-tree-ing game and several more. A breakdown of leaning context across the curriculum is also included.

Sustainable Site Management. Toileting and Nappies

Staff from Willow Den Nursery talk through options for nappy changing and using potties in the outdoors. To view this video please click HERE.

Sustainable Site Management- Fire and Cooking Part 2.

Earthtime Forest Nursery staff and children demonstrate the many benefits to having fires within outdoor settings. Safety aspects are covered as a key component of this activity but also important lifelong learning elements such as sustainability, cooking and responsibility. To view this video please click HERE.

Sustainable Site Management- Eating Outdoors

Earthtime’s staff share tips on how to manage snacks and food in the outdoors. Setting up of snack/ meals areas, storage of food and handwashing, ideas for fussy eaters and composting left-over food and food waste is also covered. To access this video please click HERE.

Sustainable Site Management- Foraging- Food and Resouces

Earthtime’s Forest School Nursery staff discuss the benefits of having easily accessible food and resources (gardens/ foraging) close to outdoor learning sites. Click HERE to visit this video on the OWL Scotland YouTube Channel.

Sensory Woodland Stories- Gaelic translation

Gaelic translation-. A range of simple and inspiring education story resources for children with complex additional needs. Scripts and suggested props to allow for extra engagement and flexibility to suit the children you are working with. The Storytelling Tips and Origins resource accompanies these cards and provides tips to enhance the experience for those involved. This also provides background information on the origins of the stories.

Ash Dieback- Tree pest and Disease Series

Information sheet on Ash Dieback including images, impact, spread, symptoms and outcomes.