Activities at The Moors Centre
Preparation for visits and ideas for follow up work
Information to support classwork
Welcome to the Park Presentation
This interactive presentation introduces children to the concept of National Parks. The special qualities of the North York Moors are described and we explain how moorland is managed and how human activities such as tourism affect the area. We then look at things which are threatening these special qualities, including climate change, and what actions pupils can take to help care for this special place. The session includes the use of sound effects and finishes with a section on wildlife, where children can meet and handle some furry and feathered friends from our collection of stuffed animals and birds.
Main curriculum links:
- English - Listening and responding
- Geography – managing environments in a sustainable way
- Science – living things in their environment
- PHSE and Citizenship – making responsible choices and caring for the environment
Every Child Matters: Increased awareness and understanding of local and global environmental issues, our individual and collective responsibilities towards the environment, developing a sense of respect and care for the environment.
Age Range: Years 3 to 6 (Age 7 to 11)
Duration: Quarter day (about an hour)
Further information about the special qualities of the National Park
Open Spaces, Secret Places Exhibition
This new, inspiring and interactive exhibition focuses on moorland, its wildlife, how it is managed and the role we can all play in looking after this very special place. Admission to the exhibition is free but groups are requested to book in advance. This activity is self-guided. Exhibition quiz sheets are available for children at 50p each, or free if booked with another activity.
Age Range: Years 3-6 (Age 7 to 11)
Duration: About half an hour with quiz sheets.
JURASSIC PARK
Rocks and Fossils
Investigate the real Jurassic Park and use rocks and fossils to discover what the North York Moors was like up to 180 million years ago! This indoor session is divided into four short 'hands on' activities and includes investigating the rocks that form local coastal cliffs, identifying rock specimens, using a key to identify fossils and matching specimens of glacial erratics with descriptions to show where the glaciers came from during the last ice age.
Main curriculum links:
- Science - describing, identifying and grouping rocks, identifying fossilised plants and animals using a key
- Geography - explaining why a place is like it is in terms of geology
Every Child Matters: Enhanced enjoyment through participation in inspiring learning opportunities, achieving through a range of different styles.
Age Range: Years 5 and 6 (Age 9 to 11)
Duration: Quarter day (up to an hour and a half)
See also Seashore Habitat Study
Further information about the Heritage Coast
GUIDED WALKS
Moorland Walk
Standard route (
2.5km) or extended route (4.5km)
A circular walk through woodland, grazing land and moorland with spectacular views of the Esk Valley. The content of the walk can be varied, either by using maps and aerial photographs and focusing on geographical skills, or by doing various sensory activities and focusing on literacy skills, or a combination of both. Please let us know what you would prefer when you book. Wellies or sturdy shoes with good grip, warm clothes and a coat with a hood are required at all times of year.
Main curriculum links:
- Geography – geographical skills, managing environments sustainably, the water cycle
- Science – living things in their environment
- Literacy – listening, using vocabulary
Every Child Matters: Fresh air and exercise outdoors, enhanced enjoyment and a sense of achievement in completing the walk, developing a sense of respect and care for the environment.
Age Range: Years 3 to 6 (Age 7 to 11)
Duration:
- Standard route – about an hour and a half. (Half day when booked on its own, quarter day when booked with another activity.)
- Extended route: half day - about 2 hours.
Further information about moorland
Esk Valley Farmland Walk
A circular walk of 3.5 km through farmland and along country lanes. Farming activities are explained and maps and aerial photographs are used to enhance geographical skills. Snippets of local history are included as we pass by a pack horse bridge, a monks' trod and Danby Castle, former home of Catherine Parr. The standard walk does not take the children into the castle itself, but this can be included by special request for an additional fee if you mention it when you book - see 'The Tudors at Danby Castle' activity. Wellies or sturdy shoes with good grip, warm clothes and a coat with a hood are required at all times of year.
Main curriculum links:
- Geography – geographical skills, a contrasting locality, how people are using and managing the land
- Science - living things in their environment
- Literacy - listening, using vocabulary
Every Child Matters: Fresh air and exercise outdoors, enhanced enjoyment and a sense of achievement in completing the walk, developing a sense of respect and care for the environment.
Age Range: Years 5 and 6 (Age 9 to 11)
Duration: Half day (up to two hours). Three quarter day (2½ hours) with castle activity.
Further information about farming in the National Park
NAVIGATING SKILLS AND STAYING SAFE
Cunning Compass Navigator
This activity introduces children to some of the skills required for orienteering. Using a course laid out in the grounds of the Centre, children learn how to use a compass to walk on a bearing. Then, working individually, they navigate from post to post around a simple course. This basic session takes up to an hour but can be extended by going on to the more advanced ‘Tree Tracker’ course. Tell us when you book if you would like to do Tree Tracker as well as, or instead of, Cunning Compass Navigator.
Main curriculum links:
- Maths – using and applying maths in practical tasks, understanding angles, using measuring instruments
- Physical Education – orienteering skills
Every Child Matters: Fresh air and exercise outdoors, enhanced enjoyment and a sense of achievement in learning a new skill and completing a challenge.
Age Range: Years 3 to 6 (Age 7 to 11)
Duration: Quarter day (basic session about an hour, add another half hour for Tree Tracker)
Maps Inside and Out
A practical session to develop children's geographical skills. Using maps and aerial photographs of the Danby area, children are guided through a series of exercises which include identifying and comparing features on the map and the photograph, using symbols, keys, grid references, working out distance, direction, height and identifying land use. This activity involves some classroom work and some outdoor work around the grounds of the centre.
Main curriculum links:
- Geography – geographical skills
Every Child Matters: Enhanced enjoyment and a sense of achievement in learning new skills, valuable practical skills for employment and adult life.
Age Range: Years 3 to 6 (Age 7 to 11)
Duration: Quarter day (up to an hour and a half)
Derek's Day Out
This ‘hands on’ session includes several fun activities which demonstrate how to stay safe in the countryside. Children learn what to wear to stay warm and dry, what to pack in a rucksack, how to follow a route on a map and identify possible hazards along the way, and how to call for help in an emergency.
Main Curriculum Links:
- Citizenship - recognising risks and behaving responsibly
Every Child Matters: Staying safe - awareness of risks and how to minimise them, independence and self reliance, taking responsibility for one's own actions.
Age Range: Years 3 to 6 (Age 7 to 11)
Duration: Quarter day (about an hour)
Games and quizzes about the countryside code and staying safe
HABITAT STUDIES AND BIODIVERSITY
Brilliant Biodiversity
This innovative, indoor activity demonstrates the concepts of classification, variation and adaptation. The session is fun and highly interactive with children participating in ‘Battle of the Beasts’, ‘Body Building’ and ‘Chain Gang’. Children learn how an identification key works by using a gigantic floor key to identify moorland birds.
Main curriculum links:
- Science – how animals are identified and assigned to groups; using keys; adaptations; habitats, food chains.
Every Child Matters: Enhanced enjoyment through participation in inspiring learning opportunities. Achieving through a range of different learning styles, team working skills, developing good working relationships with others.
Age Range: Years 5 and 6 (Age 9 to 11)
Duration: Quarter day (up to an hour and a half)
Identity Parade - bird identification game
Woodland Habitat Study
This outdoor session takes place in Crow Wood, a small area of mixed woodland beside the Moors Centre car park. It involves a selection of games and sensory activities designed to introduce children to a woodland habitat and its wildlife.
Main curriculum links:
- Science – green plants, living things in their environment, food chains
- Literacy – listening, responding, describing
Every Child Matters: Physical exercise outdoors, enhanced enjoyment through inspiring activities, developing a sense of respect and care for the environment.
Age Range: Years 3 to 6 (Age 7 to 11)
Duration: Quarter day (about an hour)
Further information about woodland habitats
River Habitat Study
A simple fieldwork investigation using a small tributary of the River Esk less than a mile from The Moors Centre. On the way to site, river features are pointed out and the water cycle is explained. At the site itself children measure width and depth of the channel and speed of the water. They then collect and identify some of the freshwater invertebrates that inhabit the stream and use them as indicators of water quality. As with all our activities, a full risk assessment report is available on request.
Main curriculum links:
- Geography – fieldwork investigation, geographical vocabulary, river processes, the water cycle.
- Science - living things in their environment, using keys.
- Maths - using measuring equipment
Every Child Matters: Physical exercise outdoors, enhanced enjoyment through inspiring activities, achieving through a range of learning styles, developing a sense of respect and care for the environment.
Age Range: Years 5 and 6 (Age 9 to 11)
Duration: Half day (up to two hours)
Further information about river habitats
ARTS AND CRAFTS
Tree shirts
This activity is great in October / November when autumn leaves are on the ground and works really well when booked with the Woodland Habitat Study. Children gather inspiration and leaves from the wood and use them to print their own unique designs onto T-shirts. Alternatively, this can be done at any time of year using pre-prepared stencil designs. Cost of T-shirts included in price.
Main curriculum links:
- Art and design – using natural materials in art, developing ideas, creating an image, using a printing technique.
Every Child Matters: Enhanced enjoyment through participating in inspiring activities, a sense of achievement in learning a new skill and producing an individual piece of work.
Age Range: Years 5 and 6 (age 9 to 11)
Duration: Up to an hour and a half (Cost £4.00 per child when booked alone, or combine with Woodland Habitat Study for total price of £5.00 per child.)
Landscape Painting with Watercolours
A relaxing, outdoor session during which children use first hand observation and a variety of techniques to sketch and then paint a landscape. All equipment and materials provided. In the event of bad weather the session can be done mostly indoors working from sketches and photographs.
Main curriculum links:
- Art – first hand observation, sketching, painting, creating an image
Every Child Matters: Enhanced enjoyment through participating in inspiring activities, a sense of achievement in learning a new skill and producing an individual piece of work.
Age Range: Years 5 and 6 (Age 9 to 11)
Duration: Half day (about 2 hours)
Woolly Weaving
In this indoor, hands-on, activity children learn about the importance of sheep in the North York Moors and see how raw wool is preared for spinning. They then watch as wool is spun on a traditional spinning wheel and wound into skeins with a niddy noddy. Following the demonstration children can try simple weaving techniques. Finished work can be taken away for display at school.
Main curriculum links:
- Art – learning about and trying a traditional craft technique.
- History – learning about how things were done by people living in the past
Every Child Matters: Enhanced enjoyment through participating in inspiring activities, a sense of achievement in learning a new skill and creating a piece of work to take home.
Age Range: Years 3 to 6 (Age 7 to 11)
Duration: Quarter day (about an hour)
Information about sheep in the North York Moors
What is Sculpture?
Children are introduced to sculpture in this 'hands-on' fun activity in the grounds of the Moors Centre. Different materials are handled and discussed as the group follows a trail to discover our talking water bailiff, leaping salmon, willow otters and various animals carved in wood. The children then find and use natural materials to make group sculptures in the grounds of the centre.
Main curriculum links:
- Art - learning a technique, exploring and developing ideas
- Design and Technology - working with materials to make quality products
- Science - recognising materials and how they are used differently because of their properties
Every Child Matters: Enhanced enjoyment through participation in inspiring learning opportunities Achieving through a range of different learning styles, team working skills, developing good working relationships with others.
Age Range: Years 3 to 6 (age 7 to 11)
Duration: Quarter day (about an hour and a half)
CONTRASTING LOCALITIES
Danby Village Enquiry
Children use map skills to navigate to the village of Danby just a mile from the visitor centre. They are then presented with the closure of a shop and collect evidence to inform a decision as to which might be the best option for a new business in the village. Using a base map children devise a key and record types of buildings to show existing services and facilities. Life in a rural village is discussed and compared to where the children come from. The results of the survey could be used for comparison with a contrasting settlement.
Main curriculum links:
- Geography – geographical skills eg. use of maps, data collection; a contrasting locality
Age Range: Years 5 and 6 (Age 9 to 11)
Duration: Half day (up to two and a half hours if walking circular route)
Information about villages inthe National Park
HISTORICAL ENQUIRY
The Tudors at Danby Castle
Explore the remains of Danby Castle, visited by Catherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII. Children work in groups to discover what what different area of the castle were used for and discuss what life might have been like at the castle 400 years ago for both the servants and the owners. We then take the group into the court leet room and have an opportunity to try on Tudor costumes.
Main curriculum links:
- History - life on a country estate in Tudor times
Every Child Matters: Enhanced enjoyment through inspiring activities, achieving through a range of learning styles.
Age Range: Years 5 and 6 (age 9 to 11)
Duration: Three quarter day. This session is in conjunction with the Esk Valley Farmland Walk and takes 2½ hours in total.
Combine this activity with the 'Esk Valley Farmland Walk'
Find out more about historical remains in the North York Moors.
Tudor Portraits
Combine the Esk Valley Farmland Walk and castle visit with an afternoon of art. Children are introduced to Tudor portraits and Tudor painting techniques. The class can then have a go at one of the following two options (to be decided at time of booking).
Option 1 - Large Portraits. In pairs the children will copy large Tudor portraits, using mixed media.
Option 2 - Miniatures. The purpose of miniatures in the 16th century is explained and examples are shown. The children have a go at drawing their own versions using the examples.
If time permits, the children may also be able to try 'pouncing' and/or make carbon copies of basic Tudor faces.
Main curriculum links:
- Art - recording from experience and first hand observation; investigating art, tools and techniques; using a variety of methods
- History - identifying experiences of people from the past; finding out about people from pictures; finding out about Britain and the wider world in Tudor times
Every Child Matters: Enhanced enjoyment through inspiring activities, achieving through a range of learning styles.
Age Range: Years 5 and 6 (age 9 to 11)
Duration: Full day. This session is in conjunction with the Esk Valley Farmland Walk and Danby Castle Visit and takes 4 hours in total (2 hour walk, 30 minutes castle visit, 1½ hour art activity)
See also 'Esk Valley Farmland Walk' and 'The Tudors at Danby Castle'
SUSTAINABILITY AND DECISION MAKING
Points of View
This fun, indoor session demonstrates how different people use the countryside and how conflicting demands on the environment can arise. Children are provided with props and work in groups to identify the needs of different types of countryside users such as farmers, hotel owners, local children and tourists.
Main curriculum links:
- Geography – managing environments sustainably
- English – group discussion and collaboration
- Citizenship – understanding the needs of others.
Every Child Matters: Increased awareness of environmental issues and understanding what managing the environment sustainably means. Team working skills.
Age Range: Years 5 and 6 (age 10 to 11)
Duration: Quarter day (up to an hour)
Planning for Sustainable Energy
This interactive indoor session considers the conflict between conserving the National Park landscape and promoting renewable energy from wind turbines. Children work together to deliver two pre-prepared presentations; one introduces the importance of the National Park and why it is protected. The second introduces climate change, the main threat to the National Park, and how we need to reduce our reliance on burning fossil fuels and turn to renewable energy sources. The children then work in small groups and consider whether they would give planning consent for three wind turbine developments within the Park. The groups are finally brought together to share their thoughts and ideas.
Main curriculum links:
- Geography - knowledge and understanding of environmental change and sustainable development
- English - speaking, listening, group discussion and interaction
- PHSE and Citizenship - preparing to play an active role as citizens
Every Child Matters: Increased awareness and understanding of local and global environmental issues, developing a caring attitude towards the community and environment, decision making.
Age Range: Year 6 (age 10 to 11)
Duration: Quarter day (up to one and a half hours)
