Pick and Mix Activities
These activities are split into three themes – Landscape, Heritage and Wildlife – and together provide a comprehensive investigation of the Avalon Marshes, linked to the National Curriculum. They are aimed at use with pupils in Key Stages 1-3. Each activity comes in the form of a downloadable pdf, which includes everything you need for the activity. Click on the activity to begin downloading the files.
Landscape
- Getting to Know Peat (KS2 & KS3)
- Mapping the Marshes (KS2 & KS3)
- Water in the Wetlands (KS2 & KS3)
- Colouring the Marshes (KS1 & KS2)
- Creative Response to Landscape – Poetry (KS1, KS2 & KS3)
- Avalon Marshes Quiz (KS1 & KS2)
Heritage
- Avalon Marshes Timeline (KS1 & Lower KS2)
- Avalon Marshes Timeline (Upper KS2 & KS3)
- Life in the Iron-Age Marshes (KS1 & KS2)
Wildlife
- Wonderful Wetland Wildlife (KS1 & KS2)
- Awesome Adaptations (KS2)
- Noses – A Wildlife Game (KS1 & KS2)
Landscape
Getting to Know Peat (KS2 & KS3)
A resource to help teachers and pupils understand what peat is and why it is an important feature of the wetland. Learn about how it is formed, and what local names there are for the different layers of peat. This resources has links to the science and history curriculum.
Download “Getting to Know Peat”
Mapping the Marshes (KS2 & KS3)
A map based exploration of the Avalon Marshes landscape, to help you get to know the landscape. Practice your mapping skills, including grid references. With links to the geography, maths and history curriculum.
Download “Mapping the Marshes”
Water in the Wetlands (KS2 & KS3)
Water is a vital feature of the wetlands. What happens when there isn’t enough of it, and what about when there is too much? A discussion activity prompting thought about flooding and drought in the Avalon Marshes, with links to the science curriculum, and PSHE and citizenship.
Download “Water in the Wetlands”
Colouring the Marshes (KS1 & KS2)
Colouring sheets linked to the wildlife and heritage of the Marshes. Why not use your pupils’ work to create a wetland landscape on the classroom wall?
Download “Colouring the Marshes”
Image – Guy Edwardes/2020VISION
Creative Response to Landscape – Poetry (KS1, KS2 & KS3)
A series of observation, sensory, mindfulness and drama activities to help you pupils engage with the Avalon Marshes, their senses, and the outdoors, and to use this as inspiration or creative writing. This builds on work by Jane Flood for the Avalon Marshes Landscape Partnership. Links to the English curriculum, and PSHE and citizenship.
Download “Creative Response to Landscape – Photo slideshow”
Creative-Response-to-Landscape-Poetry-KS1-KS2-KS3
Avalon Marshes Quiz (KS1 & KS2)
Do you know peat from Pete? Your rhynes from your rhymes? A fun quiz to consolidate learning about the Avalon Marshes.
Download “Avalon Marshes Quiz”
Heritage
Avalon Marshes Timeline (KS1 & Lower KS2)
An interactive activity giving a chronological history of important places and events in the Avalon Marshes. The timeline spans from the Stone Age to the present day, with links to the history curriculum.
Avalon-Marshes-Timeline-KS1-LKS2-2
Avalon Marshes Timeline (Upper KS2 & KS3)
An interactive activity giving a chronological history of important places and events in the Avalon Marshes. The timeline spans from 5000 BC to the present day, charting changes in the area. This resource has links to the history curriculum.
Download “Avalon Marshes Timeline”
Life in the Iron-Age Marshes (KS1 & KS2)
How does life now compare to that of an Iron Age village? Are there any similarities between living in a roundhouse compared to houses now? This is a game and discussion activity comparing and contrasting life in the Iron-Age with life now, with links to the history curriculum.
Download “Life in the Iron-Age Marshes”
Wildlife
Wonderful Wetland Wildlife (KS1 & KS2)
Watch footage of wildlife, captured out on our wetland nature reserves, and see just how many different animals you can spot. A film based activity introducing some Avalon Marshes wildlife, with links to the science curriculum. This resource includes a pdf of notes and a wildlife film.
Download the PDF Download the film
Watch the film Note – the film does not auto-loop
Awesome Adaptations (KS2)
Which animals has oars like a rower? Which has a built-in straw? Find out with this fun activity demonstrating the special adaptations of wetland wildlife, with links to the science curriculum.
Noses – A Wildlife Game (KS1, KS2 & KS3)
A fun activity to enthuse pupils about wildlife, with links to the science and English curriculums. This activity was kindly developed by Marian Logie – an Avalon Marshes volunteer – based on an activity by Joseph Cornell.