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Our Class Visit – What others say
Broadbeans can be sown until early May
On this page, you can find out more about a school visit to Martineau Gardens, from the perspective of the teachers and the pupils; there are reports, pictures, quotes from feedback questionnaires and links to school websites. (If you'd like to book a school visit, please return to the Education Page.)
'Martineau Gardens Report'
St Dunstan's Primary School – Year Two visit to Martineau Gardens Wednesday 5th June and Thursday 6th June 2019
Report by: Mrs M Dean
Year Two had been looking forward to their visits to the Martineau Gardens from the moment they heard the words 'Pirate Adventure'!
Learning about our oceans and seas during a spring term topic had introduced the children to the names of the oceans and had given them insight into the lives of some of the creatures which inhabit our oceans and seas. They had learnt how human activity is damaging our oceans, particularly pollution such as plastics. Lunchtime at Martineau Gardens helped our children to think about which parts of their lunch could be composted and which could be returned to school to be recycled.
Previous work on maps had enabled the children to know simple compass points, directional language and basic symbols in a key. These geography concepts were consolidated through the pirate-themed day as the children used real compasses and a simple map to find the buried treasure.
The environment of Martineau Gardens provided ample opportunities for the children to investigate our summer science topic 'Living Things in their Habitats'. Many children enjoyed smelling and tasting the herbs in the herb garden and understanding that some plants can be eaten, while others cannot. Using their senses to listen to sounds from within and beyond the gardens and to smell, touch and taste edible plants created a wonderful sensory experience. One child so enjoyed the chives she kept running back to pick some more, exclaiming that they were "lovely!"
Eagle-eyed children spotted something yellow growing at the base of a tree and soon learnt that this was a fungus and should not be touched. The children were captivated by a rather large caterpillar which was eating its way through a plant, while others were fascinated by a group of spiderlings, which scattered when gently blown. Photos of these were used back in school to support teaching about micro-habitats.
During the course of the day, the children were encouraged to use sensory adjectives when talking about the plants and to use spoken sentences to justify answers and opinions.
In school, the children talked about their visit with enthusiasm and wrote a recount of their day in their English lessons. For many, playing together in the pirate themed play area was the highlight of the visit as was, of course, eating their packed lunch!
This was thoroughly enjoyable day and well worth the visit.
Learning Outside the Classroom Award
School Visits – forms and documents
Hugh Kenrick Days – Bursaries
Educational Youth Groups – info and forms
27 Priory Road,
B5 7UG
We're open all year:
Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm.
Closed on public holidays (over the Festive period we are closing Fri 20 Dec 2019, at 4pm and re-opening on Mon 6 Jan 2020.)
except for some special events
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Martineau Gardens is a registered charity (1092364) and a company limited by guarantee (4273209)
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