Kids learn to dig potatoes in new teaching programme
This term, the humble potato will make its debut as the star of a new primary school teaching tool called The Potato Story. Targeted to Key Learning Stage 2 (7-11 years of age) and fully aligned to the National Curriculum, The Potato Story will launch with lesson plans about Plant Growth and Nutrition that can be accessed by teachers from September at www.thepotatostory.co.uk
All lesson plans are linked to the National Curriculum for Science in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, with specific links to Sc 2 Life Processes and Living Things and Sc 1 – Experimental and Investigative Science. The resource will also allow for cross-curriculum links through ICT (exploring stimulations), literacy (with VAK opportunities including drama) and numeracy (measuring, collecting and presenting data).
The seed of the idea for The Potato Story emerged from research by the British Heart Foundation* in 2005 which found that 'one in three children did not know that chips were made from potatoes’.The Potato Story debuted in 2006 as a fixed stand exhibit visiting country shows and schools. Enthusiastic feedback from children, teachers and parents encouraged the company behind the initiative, McCain Foods (GB) Ltd, to develop the Potato Story into a full teaching resource.
Nick Vermont, CEO, McCain Foods (GB) Ltd says, “The Potato Story is a vehicle with which ti teach children about food provenance while informing and educating them about the value of potatoes as part of a balanced diet.
“As a food manufacturer, we are passionate about potatoes and intimately understand the principles of field to fork and all the steps in that chain. We’re delighted to be able to use our knowledge to help children learn about the origins of their food.
“We have worked hard to ensure that the programme for schools is both relevant to the curriculum and useful for teachers. We also wanted to make the website both fun and interactive, bringing The Potato Story to life in an engaging way which children will relate to as well as learn from. There really is nothing else like it out there,” adds Vermont.
The first version of The Potato Story launched in September 2006 at Daubeney Primary School in Hackney, London. Wanda Noakes, Head of Daubeney Primary School saw the programme in its infancy and is now trialling the lesson plans.
“We are always looking for innovative ways to engage with and entertain the children and learning about where their food comes from is also a very important lesson for them,” says Wanda.
“This approach is very hands on and really allows the children to get involved, encouraging them to listen and learn. Development of the lesson plans takes this one step further, allowing teachers to use The Potato Story as a vehicle to learn about Plant Growth and Nutrition.”
The touring element of The Potato Story is now housed in a decommissioned, re-designed London route master bus which will support the launch of the in classroom teaching kit, visiting schools to add an experiential element to the programme. The core elements of the story are brought to life by a 'farmer’ in his field and the 'cook’ in her kitchen, making it an interactive learning experience in which children are encouraged to participate.
The full programme is free and will be available to teachers from 3 September, 2007 at www.thepotatostory.co.uk. There is also sections for parents and children.
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