Key info
Objective
Pupils learn how to make cycling safer with simple checks and practices.
Resources needed
Computer/laptop, projector/large screen
Session plan
First things first. Checking your bicycle is in peak condition is a vital step. Show the pupils Sustrans’ M-check video for bikes, to help make sure these are roadworthy each time they ride.
Key info
Objective
Reimagine your cycle. Learn about different types of cycles and cycle users.
Resources needed
Bling your bike colouring-in sheets, coloured pencils, bling/recycled materials
Activity outline
Get creative in the Bling your bike activity.
Each pupil picks a template for a cycle. You can use pencils, glitter, ribbons, coloured card, recycled materials such as magazines, or anything else colourful you can collect to make a collage of a decorated cycle.
Why not pick a theme such as the seasons, or tie it in with topic you’re covering in the classroom?
Extension
+ 20 minutes
Get your class to show what they have designed for each type of cycle.
Download
Inspired by
Six-week step-by-step guide: A guide designed for teachers, parents and governors to help get more people active on the journey to and from school.
Additional information from Wheels for Wellbeing wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk
Key info
Objective
Pupils think about who creates carbon emissions and other air pollutants and how we can change this.
Resources needed
Pencil and paper.
Activity outline
Discuss what generates carbon dioxide and other air pollutants and how it affects our climate and the air we breathe.
Ask pupils to complete the air pollution detective worksheet by finding and circling different sources of pollution.
Discuss what types of air pollution the pupils identified.
List these as emission-generating activities, e.g. transport, agriculture, manufacturing and industry. Talk as a group, is this something we can affect, or is it due to other people?
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Inspired by
Sustrans School Officers: Across the UK, Sustrans school officers work closely with schools, running classroom, playground, and school gate activities to transform the school run.
Email education@sustrans.org.uk to find out more.
Key info
Objective
Pupils think about their journey to school and discuss their experiences.
Resources needed
Printed storyboards, pencil and paper
Activity outline
Ask the pupils to draw a short storyboard of their journey to school. They start with their house in the first square and end with school in the last one. When all pupils have finished, ask them to write down how they travelled to school.
Ask the pupils to compare drawings in their groups. Which part of the journey do they like/ dislike? Ask them to put a traffic light in the corner of each of the squares representing how they feel.
Ask them to count how many ‘Greens’ and ‘Reds’ they have. What is the score? What is the class score? Ask the pupils to complete the following statements and discuss as a class or in groups.
Extension
+ 20 minutes
+ tracing paper
Your dream journey — Ask pupils to overlap a piece of tracing paper on top of their storyboard.
Ask pupils to make three changes to their journey that would help change it into their ideal journey to school.
Ask, is there another way they could travel? Is there a better route? Could the streets be designed differently?
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Inspired by
Big Street Survey: A curriculum resource which enables pupils to investigate the area around their school and create a manifesto on how to make their streets safer and greener. The Big Street Survey meets numerous curriculum objectives, with various cross-curriculum opportunities and lesson plans.
Email education@sustrans.org.uk to find out more
Key info
Objective
Pupils will learn about the effect of activity on the circulatory system and heart.
Resources needed
Pencil and paper
Activity outline
Tell pupils that they will be investigating our heart rate and the effect of exercise on heart rate. Start by helping pupils find their pulse on their left wrist, just beneath the thumb.
In pairs, one pupil counts their pulse while the other times 15 seconds on a watch. Multiply by four to get beats per minute. Record and swap roles.
Next, repeat the measurements immediately after one minute of an activity that makes pupils slightly out of breath (eg. running on the spot) and record, before resting completely for two minutes. Record a third pulse rate.
Compare measurements. Discuss the findings and chart the pupils’ heart rates. Who had the highest after exercise? Whose was the lowest?
Questions
A: picks up oxygen in the lungs and deposits it in muscles and organs.
A: The heart pumps it around.
A: Keeps us healthy, we feel happy, good for brain, keeps us motivated and keeps muscles strong.
Inspired by
Sustrans Big Pedal: The UK’s largest inter-school cycling, walking and scooting challenge that inspires pupils, staff and parents to choose ‘human power’ for their journey to school. The next Big Pedal will take place Wednesday 22 April - Tuesday 5 May 2020.
Key info
Objective
To inspire pupils to think about how their cycle can be used in their spare time.
Resources needed
Computer/ laptop, projector/ large screen, paper and pens.
Activity outline
Explain that you can use bikes and other types of cycle to get around and explore your local area and beyond. The National Cycle Network and other cycling routes are great places to have these everyday adventures.
Show the pupils Sustrans’ Everyday Adventure video.
Then, give the class 10 minutes write a story of an Everyday Adventure they would like to have.
Encourage them to think about their local area. Ask them where they would like to explore? How they could get there using their cycle? Who do they meet? What interesting things could they see along the way? Do they encounter any problems on their adventure? How do they overcome them?
Extension
+ 20-30 minutes
Rather than writing a story, why not get pupils into small groups and give the class 20 minutes to create their own 2-3 minute mini-play of an Everyday Adventure.
Leave at least 20 minutes to watch all the plays at the end.
Inspired by
Our Everyday Adventures on the National Cycle Network campaign #MyEverydayAdventure
The 5-day resources pack for Primary and Secondary schools in one handy document.