Teachers Stuff @ Top Tracks.info

Top Tracks.info


Suggestions for teachers

Why take a class into the outdoors? Why not? The first barrier I faced in taking my class up the mountain was finding information about the tracks up there. Hopefully that has been overcome with this site. The next problem was in finding and filling out Risk or RAMS forms. There are a range of these provided for download in MS Word format from the following link. Of the now 'far too many' various forms, numbers 3,12,17 used to be the more essential ones. At least they are available. EOTC Resources (RAMS page) And then, which curriculum objectives to use? An integrated approach works best, but for me, the main objectives would come form the Health and PE document. Check out eight of that document's aims below. You could achieve all of these by going for a simple walk. Understand and appreciate, as a result of experience, the contribution of physical activity to personal well being Meet and manage challenges and risks in positive, health enhancing ways Analyse attitudes and values and take actions that contribute to their personal identity and self worth Develop and apply, in context, a wide rage of movement skills and facilitate the development of physical competence Develop a positive attitude towards physical activity by accepting challenges and extending their personal capabilities and experiences Come to understand the nature of relationships Increase their understanding of personal identity and develop sensitivity to, and respect for, other people Use interpersonal skills effectively to enhance relationships Use the other curriculum areas as secondary goals, this should take out some of the stress from the planning and the day itself. You have to remember that most children are now so unused to going for a simple walk in the bush, that it may take a couple of trips to get them into it. I've suggested a three year programme below that covers some of the best tracks and places I've found. All can be done in a day, no overnight stays required. Feel free to mix and match. The Department of Conservation has educators who can help at some places. If you need assistance give the Department a ring. But a big warning!!! This page and the DoC educators do not excuse you from doing a pre site visit. Things can change and you need to be familiar with what is in store for you and those you are in charge of. Please take the time to check out your destination as part of your planning.
1st Year
Term 1	North Egmont	Ram Track	2km downhill
Term 2	Dawson Falls	Wilkies Pools Loop	90 minutes
Term 3	Stratford	Manganui Ski Field	30 minutes each way
Term 4	North Egmont	Maketawa Circuit	3-4 hours
		Juniors - Connett Loop	30-40 minutes

2nd Year
Term 1	Oakura	Te Koru Pa	3 hours (30 mins walking)
Term 2	Stratford	York Road	3 hours (juniors return from sand trap)
Term 3	Pukeiti Rhododendron Gardens	ph 752 4141	School groups are free
Term 4	Stratford	Curtis Falls	3 hours

3rd Year
Term 1	North Egmont	Veronica Loop	2 hours
Term 2	Dawson Falls	Kapuni Loop	60 minutes
Term 3	New Plymouth	Ratapihipihi	45 minutes
Term 4	Okato	Stony River Challenge
		Level 1 to river	2 hours
		Level 2 to tributary	4 hours
		Level 3 to Bells Falls	6 hours return

The walks I enjoyed the most were Manganui Ski field, Curtis Falls, Connett Loop, Wilkies Pools. Each walk presents a range of possible learning opportunities. I'm not going to suggest them all, but here's a start for an integrative one term long Manganui ski field unit. Look at:
Avalanches The Manganui monster Technology Weather Ice Icicles Erosion Plants	-write and read stories -2D and 3D art -ski tows, the tunnel, the gear lift -snow, etc -snow boarding, skiing, skating, (East End skating centre)
Finally, if you are ready for a break from the classroom, consider a Teacher Fellowship from the Royal Society of New Zealand. To the right is a photo of me enjoying my year, examining the Whanganui National Park! It was the most brilliant year! Click here for the Royal Society's web site

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