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Off to meet the Kambebas!

Our second event of this academic year occurred just after COP30, which was held in Belem, Brazil. Some of our friends from the Kambeba indigenous community in the heart of the Amazon were there at the time, so we were also keen to share their experiences, messages and key takeaways with individuals here today. Whilst our new stance is still aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils, particularly those in Year 5 and Year 6, it is a slightly shorter and more cost-effective version to make it inclusive and accessible to schools. On board today were Cottesmore St. Mary Catholic Primary School in Hove, East Sussex (https://www.cottesmore.brighton-hove.sch.uk/) and Hugo Meynell C of E (VC) Primary School near Market Drayton in Staffordshire…Continue readingOff to meet the Kambebas!

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A new stance for 2025-2026!

Our first events of this academic year were timed to coincide with COP30 being held in Belem, Brazil. Some of our friends from the Kambeba indigenous community in the heart of the Amazon were intending to be there, so we were keen to share their experiences, messages and key takeaways with individuals here. Whilst our new stance is still aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils, particularly those in Year 5 and Year 6, it is a slightly shorter and cheaper version to make it inclusive and accessible to more schools. On board today were four schools located throughout the UK, namely Newburn Manor Primary School, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear (https://www.newburnmanorprimary.co.uk/); Willow Wood Community Primary School, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear (https://www.willowwoodprimary.org.uk/);…Continue readingA new stance for 2025-2026!

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A full house!

Quite an ambitious week-long initiative for us with five schools and more than 420 Key Stage 2 pupils and their teachers on board! At this point, thanks must go to Tewkesbury Rotary Club for funding two school places, namely for children at The John Moore Primary School (https://www.thejohnmooreprimary.org/) and Tirlebrook Primary School (https://www.tirlebrook.co.uk/) within the town. These schools were joined by children and teachers from Vernon Primary School in Cheshire (https://www.vernonprimaryschool.com/), Brimington Junior School (https://thelearnerstrust.org/brimington-juniors/) and Dronfield Junior School (https://www.dronfield-jun.derbyshire.sch.uk/), both located in Derbyshire. All the youngsters impressed us greatly. After formally welcoming everybody and introducing myself and Marcella, as well as sharing the aims of the workshop and proposed format for the sessions, we moved on to our ‘starter’.  I launched Digimap for Schools and…Continue readingA full house!

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‘Building bridges’ and learning together

Today, we were joined by Year 4 pupils and their teacher from St. Mary Magdalen’s Catholic Primary School in Richmond, London (https://www.st-marymagdalens.richmond.sch.uk/), and did they wow us too! After formally welcoming everybody and introducing myself and Marcella, as well as sharing the aims of the workshop and proposed format for the sessions, we moved on to our ‘starter’.  I launched Digimap for Schools and projected a map of the UK to pinpoint our locations and explore our connections with these places (https://digimapforschools.edina.ac.uk/). Never miss an opportunity to enhance pupils’ locational and place knowledge! Our first task was to challenge any misconceptions that pupils had.  We asked them what they thought Brazil was like and where they believed the Amazon was located.  Some interesting comments were added to the chat feed.  We…Continue reading‘Building bridges’ and learning together

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Off to the Amazon one last time before Christmas!

We managed to squeeze in another week-long initiative before all the Christmas festivities well and truly kick in. This time, we were joined by more than 120 Year 5 and Year 6 pupils and their teachers from two schools, namely St. Wulstan’s Catholic Primary School in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire (https://stwulstans.sch.life/) and The Olive School in Blackburn, Lancashire (https://www.oliveblackburn.com/). After formally welcoming everybody and introducing both Marcella and myself, as well as sharing the aims of the workshop and proposed format for the sessions, we moved on to our ‘starter’.  I launched Digimap for Schools and projected a map of the UK to pinpoint our locations and explore our connections with these places (https://digimapforschools.edina.ac.uk/). Never miss an opportunity to enhance pupils’ locational and place knowledge! Our first task was…Continue readingOff to the Amazon one last time before Christmas!

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Nottinghamshire teachers and pupils are transported to the Amazon!

A few weeks’ ago, I received a request from the Geography Subject Leader at Brinsley Primary and Nursery School in Nottinghamshire (https://www.brinsley.notts.sch.uk/). She wished to arrange for their Year 5 and Year 6 teachers and pupils to take part in our new, week-long, Amazon-themed initiative during Term 2. As Geography Awareness Week 2024 fell between 18th and 22nd November, it seemed very apt to schedule the event for this week. After formally welcoming everybody and introducing both Marcella and myself, as well as sharing the aims of the workshop and proposed format for the sessions, we moved on to our ‘starter’.  I launched Digimap for Schools and projected a map of the UK to pinpoint our locations and explore our connections with these places (https://digimapforschools.edina.ac.uk/). Never…Continue readingNottinghamshire teachers and pupils are transported to the Amazon!

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Our new offering went down a treat!

A new academic year and a new offering from those at Step into the Amazon! After perusing feedback from staff and pupils gathered via our online evaluation form (many wished to have more time to engage with the suggested activities and delve into the shared material further, as well as connect with the Kambeba children in real time), we have decided to span our multi-schools event over the space of a week. A 2.5 hour session is now proposed for the Monday morning, with optional extension tasks set throughout the week and a chance for pupils and their teachers to come together to share and reflect upon their learning and experiences for half an hour or so towards the end…Continue readingOur new offering went down a treat!

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A revised Amazon offering

Time to head off to the Amazon again; well, virtually, for now!  On board today with Marcella Haddad and Emma Espley were more than 190 Key Stage 2 pupils and their teachers from three schools located in different regions of the UK, namely Meltham Moor Primary School in Meltham, West Yorkshire (https://www.melthammoor.org/), The Breakspear School in Ickenham, near Uxbridge, Greater London (https://www.breakspear.hillingdon.sch.uk/) and Toner Avenue Primary School in Hebburn, Tyne and Wear (https://toneravenue.uk/).  Following Adriana Meirelles’ one year sabbatical to go and live in Brazil and be closer to her extended family, we decided it was time to revise and update our offering.  Our virtual events are now condensed into two and a half hour sessions and are more regular…Continue readingA revised Amazon offering

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And they are off to meet the Kambebas!

What a busy week it has been! Whilst I have been working with Liam and Kiran to set up social media accounts to link to our website, Adriana has been putting the final touches in place for her trip to Brazil. Not only will she be visiting her family and friends, but will also spend five days with the Kambeba indigenous community in the heart of the Amazon. No doubt, her and her friend, Marcella, will be treated like royalty by the Kambebas. It will be very emotional, but hugely insightful. It is important that we nurture this unique rapport that we have established, so that we continue to learn from the tribe, e.g. how we can live more sustainably;…Continue readingAnd they are off to meet the Kambebas!

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Bristol Teacherfest 2022

Bristol Teacherfest is in its third year and has grown so much over time that it is now able to promote a wide range of events aimed at Bristol-based teachers.  This year has seen a slight change of focus, with many events being hosted by schools within the Bristol Education Partnership (BEP) (https://www.bristollearningcity.com/education/bristol-education-partnership/).  Colleagues have generously offered their time and expertise to share and discuss work that is taking place within their establishments.  Furthermore, weekly sessions are being held at the University of Bristol’s School of Education, enabling important links with research to be highlighted.  There are also a number of superb speakers from beyond Bristol participating over the duration of the three weeks, including Pasi Sahlberg from Finland, who…Continue readingBristol Teacherfest 2022