Teaching Resources
The peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland are an amazing resource for learning opportunities. There are some very good generic peatland resources available on line and we have listed some of the links below.
From life cycles and food chains to sensory exploration to understanding a key landscape in Scotland you can find lots of inspiration for the curriculum in the Flow Country.
For an excellent introduction to The Flow Country you could start with the video.
If you enrol in the RSPB’s Wild Challenge you will find lots of resources and lesson ideas for outdoor learning, which you could do in your school grounds with support from RSPB Forsinard or book a visit to our reserve and carry out the challenge there! The challenge is aimed at 4 – 12 year olds.
Our website pages are a good source of background information for example, our ‘Nature & Heritage’ pages are an excellent introduction to the flora and fauna of the peatlands.
Flows Resources:
Flow Country Colour Match Cards These cards feature colours of the Flow Country and can be cut out and laminated to provide a long lasting resource
Flow Country Animal Pairs Game Use this game to put children into pairs. They act like the Flow Country animal in the picture. It would be a good plan to go through each animal before the game so children know how they might act!
Hen Harrier Flapper This is a quick and easy resource that you can use to make hen harriers.
Flow Country Scavenger Hunt Use your sensory powers to find all the different colours, textures and smells in the the Flow Country
Flow Country Bingo Summer A super spotter sheet for the Dubh-lochain Trail
Flow Country Word Search Test your knowledge of the Flow Country by searching for all the different plants and animals
Flow Country Dragonfly – Instructions on how to make one.
Colouring Sheet Full of different plants and animals
Golden Plover Colouring Sheet
Sundew Colouring sheet
Common Lizard Colouring sheet
Educational Links and Resources
RSPB’s Wild challenge – It’s FREE and there’s no paperwork, all you have to do is register and start earning awards! Our activities can be easily linked to the Wild Challenge
RSPB’s Big Schools Birdwatch – Takes place throughout January and February – sign up and receive your free pack
There are also lots of RSPB resources on the TES website
If you are planning an excursion to the peatlands of the Flow Country, you can take a look at the Schools out – Peatlands – Fieldwork made easy resource and find the best place for your field trip with the Schools out – Site guide for Caithness!
The Irish Peatland Conservation Council publish Bogs in the Classroom, a collection of activity ideas and other resources
Further Links and Resources
Moors for the Future, based in the Peak District and South Pennines, have excellent UK uplands learning materials
An excellent resource for developing an awareness of our place on this planet and learn about the life of John Muir:
https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/learning-and-resources/john-muir-earth-planet-universe
