|
 | | 
15-09-2006, 07:07 PM
|  | Dame Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North Kent
Posts: 6,151
| | | Enthralling young minds
I tried a little experiment with our kiddies at school today. I took my camera in and gathered a troop of children that wanted to come on an insect hunt with me around the school field. We collected many a grasshopper, snail, crane fly,spider etc and I took a macro shot of these creatures in their hands (ones that were persuaded to hold the beasties that is) and blew the shot up in front of them. My goodness, you should have seen their faces. What a picture they were.They were absolutely amazed to see such detail. One little girl, who previously said she was scared of insects, held one and remarked that she had no idea what sweet little faces grasshoppers have. They were bursting with enthusiasm and made me promise another hunt next week. I'm so pleased they reacted the way they did. I'll turn them all into wildlife fanatics. Just you see. 
__________________
The female of the species is more deadly than the male.:p |
15-09-2006, 07:09 PM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: N.E.SOMERSET
Posts: 6,449
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
Well done WW it would be great if it were as easy with bats 
__________________
You cannot maintain an ecology, if you lose any of the pieces. |
15-09-2006, 07:13 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 4,197
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
well done Julie, you're doing a great job encouraging the next generation of WABers.
Matt |
15-09-2006, 07:17 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Scunthorpe, Nth Lincs
Posts: 1,378
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
Excellent WW.
Round of Applause Smiley
__________________ Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana. Nature Photo's |
15-09-2006, 07:31 PM
|  | Frozen | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.E. Lincolnshire
Posts: 4,130
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
Great stuff Julie, good on ya
Do they have any low magnification microscopes at the school? That's always an eye-opener too!
When I was at school in one of the classrooms there was one of those ant colony tank things. We also had bee hives too, and did bee keeping as part of the lesson. The lesson was called Rural studies, and I always looked forward to that. The teacher even used to have us there after school to pluck pheasants etc at 40p a bird! (my pocket money only used to be about £1.50 a week!) Can't see them letting you do that now!! |
15-09-2006, 07:41 PM
| | Dame Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North Kent
Posts: 6,151
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
We've only got hand lenses but they are next to useless. Also because of all the stupid H&S issues now, we aren't allowed things in the school that are deemed as a 'health hazzard'.ie creepy crawlies etc. Ridiculous really. We could check out the 'head lice' with a microscope!!!
__________________
The female of the species is more deadly than the male.:p |
15-09-2006, 07:47 PM
| | Frozen | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.E. Lincolnshire
Posts: 4,130
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Wild-Woman We've only got hand lenses but they are next to useless. Also because of all the stupid H&S issues now, we aren't allowed things in the school that are deemed as a 'health hazzard'.ie creepy crawlies etc. Ridiculous really. We could check out the 'head lice' with a microscope!!! | Yes in the 'good ole days!' we had bees, ants, nit-nurses and a good slap! |
15-09-2006, 07:53 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Milton, Hampshire
Posts: 3,020
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
Ive got an event Ive got to help out with tomorrow called 'Child of the Wild'. I'm not that good with kids but I think it is important that they have the chance to look aroung them & not be told its bad to pick up acorns & stuff. |
15-09-2006, 08:36 PM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mendip Dist. Somerset
Posts: 729
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
WW,
The look on a child's face when they see things for the first time is great. Some how I've sent two posts when I only ment to send one. I hashed up the edit. |
15-09-2006, 08:37 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mendip Dist. Somerset
Posts: 729
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Wild-Woman We've only got hand lenses but they are next to useless. Also because of all the stupid H&S issues now, we aren't allowed things in the school that are deemed as a 'health hazzard'.ie creepy crawlies etc. Ridiculous really. We could check out the 'head lice' with a microscope!!! | Gudonyr WW. It's wondreful when children open up to Mother Nature, they get so amazed atv what they see & hear. Can you take them out to woodland nearby or are you hamstrung by H&S regs? I never knew it was as bad as that. How do you teach nature studies or biology? If you ever want a Green Man to weave yarns about Mother Nature just let me know. Keep up the Good work my deer. |
15-09-2006, 08:42 PM
| | Dame Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North Kent
Posts: 6,151
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Earth Hart Gudonyr WW. It's wondreful when children open up to Mother Nature, they get so amazed atv what they see & hear. Can you take them out to woodland nearby or are you hamstrung by H&S regs? I never knew it was as bad as that. How do you teach nature studies or biology? If you ever want a Green Man to weave yarns about Mother Nature just let me know. Keep up the Good work my deer. | Might just take you up on that offer one day Earth Hart. Cheers. Julie
__________________
The female of the species is more deadly than the male.:p |
15-09-2006, 08:53 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mendip Dist. Somerset
Posts: 729
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
Any time Julie. I'll send you a PM with details etc. |
29-09-2006, 01:29 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sheffield, FPRSY
Posts: 4,959
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
There's an interview with E.O. Wilson (the greatest living biogeographer and conceiver of sociobiology) in the current (3oth Sept New Scientist) - attached quote relates to encouraging children to get a love of nature:
"Early exposure in pleasant circumstances is the best way to
make a naturalist. Take a child into the field and encourage him or
her to become an explorer, adventurer and treasure hunter in the
environment…It's well established that between the ages of 9 and 12
children have an innate desire to…[explore on their own or in small
groups]…They should also be turned loose where they can bring back a
frog or a snake or a spider in a jar.
"With that kind of experience you can make a lifelong naturalist and
build a culture that doesn't turn away from modern technology and
the accoutrements of western civilization, but one that enriches it
by adding a love of nature." Quote: |
Originally Posted by Deer Stalker Ive got an event Ive got to help out with tomorrow called 'Child of the Wild'. I'm not that good with kids but I think it is important that they have the chance to look aroung them & not be told its bad to pick up acorns & stuff. | |
29-09-2006, 01:41 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Peoples Democratic Republic of South Cheshire
Posts: 1,248
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Paul mabbott There's an interview with E.O. Wilson (the greatest living biogeographer and conceiver of sociobiology) in the current (3oth Sept New Scientist) - attached quote relates to encouraging children to get a love of nature:
"Early exposure in pleasant circumstances is the best way to
make a naturalist. Take a child into the field and encourage him or
her to become an explorer, adventurer and treasure hunter in the
environment…It's well established that between the ages of 9 and 12
children have an innate desire to…[explore on their own or in small
groups]…They should also be turned loose where they can bring back a
frog or a snake or a spider in a jar.
"With that kind of experience you can make a lifelong naturalist and
build a culture that doesn't turn away from modern technology and
the accoutrements of western civilization, but one that enriches it
by adding a love of nature." | I am not really sure that this is the case, too often I find that the interest at that stage of their life is transient and they go on to something different even up to their late teens and early twenties, there are simply so many distractions. What I have found is that if you can interest people in little later in life, perhaps in their mid twenties or later their interest does last longer and there commitment is greater.
Last edited by glsammy; 29-09-2006 at 07:08 PM.
|
29-09-2006, 02:11 PM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 688
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Wild-Woman ...I'm so pleased they reacted the way they did. I'll turn them all into wildlife fanatics. Just you see. | Just the kind of teacher I wish I'd had at School. I've always believed that the first task of any teacher is to encourage the joy of learning in their pupils. If we all look back to where our enthusiasm for wildlife came from it was often little moments like that that created the first spark. Keep fanning those little flames there Julie Quote: |
Originally Posted by speckled wood I am not really sure that this is the case, too often I find that the interest at that stage of their life is transient and they go on to something different even up to their late teens and early twenties, there are simply so many distractions. What I have found is that if you can interest people in little later in life, perhaps in their mid twenties or later their interest does last longer and there commitment is greater. | The thing is kids keep on exploring so their minds flit from on thing to another. To use another metaphor once you plant the seed it has to sit there apparantly doing nothing for a while, as you wait impatiently for signs of development. It may take years or it may be tomorrow. Maybe it will flower in their 20's but the main thing is you've planted that seed.
Its said that every experience you've had every thing you've ever even glanced at is stored clearly in you mind somewhere even if you can't readily acces it. Once its there its there for life. It might just take another encounter to bring it all to life.
Last edited by glsammy; 29-09-2006 at 07:10 PM.
|
29-09-2006, 03:23 PM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 923
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
Quote: |
Originally Posted by speckled wood I am not really sure that this is the case, too often I find that the interest at that stage of their life is transient and they go on to something different even up to their late teens and early twenties, there are simply so many distractions. What I have found is that if you can interest people in little later in life, perhaps in their mid twenties or later their interest does last longer and there commitment is greater. |
Hmmm, I look around me at work and most, if not all of my colleagues were interested naturalists of some sort or another from a very early age. There really is no substitute for the fascination one experiences as a young child for the world around them & as Wild-woman has demonstrated (and I have also seen) a bit of enthusiasm injected at an early age can unseat fears that would otherwise be long held into adult life.
As for the digital camera revolution, this has been a fantastic shot in the arm for many branches of natural history-entomology, botany & mycology in particular judging by this site. I hadn't thought of its use as a teaching tool until now, it really is a great idea to let kids see the beauty of things close up that with the naked eye could easily be dismissed as ugly. Well done W-W keep up the good work!
Last edited by glsammy; 29-09-2006 at 07:10 PM.
|
29-09-2006, 04:12 PM
| | Dame Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North Kent
Posts: 6,151
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
Thank you for your encouraging comments. One thing that occured to me recently was the use of macro shots for the visually impaired. Sadly not useful for the blind but many eye impairments are helped by enlargement of small things.
I've got a place as a field teacher during half term and hols and will be using this with youngsters with visual defects and will report on progress. julie
__________________
The female of the species is more deadly than the male.:p |
29-09-2006, 04:42 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Horsham W Sussex
Posts: 1,474
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
Good work Julie, my boy is so keen on the outdoors and is fast learning what things are. Also being closer to the ground than me, he often spots things that I miss, have you found that with the children ? My little girl is not as keen though, but she is getting there, they both love the moth trap and holding the moths we catch........... |
29-09-2006, 04:48 PM
| | Dame Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North Kent
Posts: 6,151
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
Some of them take it a bit far when they take a grasshopper out of their pockets and place it on the desk or book during lessons, like I discovered yesterday!! They now understand about suitable habitats.
__________________
The female of the species is more deadly than the male.:p |
29-09-2006, 04:50 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 923
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Jonny Also being closer to the ground than me, he often spots things that I miss, have you found that with the children ? | We've found this to happen quite a bit when we go out bughunting with kids. It may be that to do a full survey of a site one should bring a horde of children-could be more efficient than trapping! |
29-09-2006, 06:43 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Horsham W Sussex
Posts: 1,474
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Imaginos We've found this to happen quite a bit when we go out bughunting with kids. It may be that to do a full survey of a site one should bring a horde of children-could be more efficient than trapping! | Yes, give them a moth pot or something similar and they are really happy trying to find insects to put in it and show you......... |
29-09-2006, 07:03 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sheffield, FPRSY
Posts: 4,959
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
The best example of this in my experience was taking a class of 8-year olds to Southend and collecting things from the beach (actually, for those who know Southend where there is no beach, it was farther east but I've forgotten the name ... ). I asked one lad what he was taking back: a jellyfish ..... which had liquefied in his pocket .... I hope his mum appreciated it.
But he was a fairly good example of lads with low attention capability &c, a rowdy but not nasty, yet if you got him rummaging around on the shore or in a wood he could spend hours examining things ..... Quote: |
Originally Posted by Wild-Woman Some of them take it a bit far when they take a grasshopper out of their pockets and place it on the desk or book during lessons, like I discovered yesterday!! They now understand about suitable habitats. | |
29-09-2006, 07:18 PM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Deepest Dorset
Posts: 697
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
in the psat i used one of those blue computer microscope to take pictures of all sorts and print them them on the wall, eg a butterfly wing scales, the children had no idea what it was, great little test whilst waiting for the class to settle.
The microscopes also have the abilty to do time lapse and small movies. the best one i managed was a great diving beetle digesting a tadpole. you could see the tadpole innards being sucked up the syringe like tubes of the pincers on the diving beetle..Now imagine that on a 4ft computerised white board. great way to end a mornings pond dipping session.. i wish i had that file  |
29-09-2006, 08:44 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Laindon, Basildon, Essex.
Posts: 2,420
| | | Re: Enthralling young minds
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Paul mabbott .... (actually, for those who know Southend where there is no beach, it was farther east but I've forgotten the name ... ) | Paul .... Shoeburyness? .... beyond that is Foulness Island (MOD out of bounds), the North Sea and Holland (I think!).
Julie .... well done and keep up the good work. This is such an encouraging story since engaging young ones is essential if we are to protect our biodiversity and ensure the sustainability of our planet. One small contribution but let's hope there is a lot more going on in other schools too. I wish I had a teacher like you when I was at school .
Richard | |
