Active learning
Curriculum for Excellence will bring together, for the first time, the curriculum for the pre-school sector and the early years of primary as one level. Pre-school approaches (such as learning through play) will be extended into the early years of primary school. The examples in this section show how pre-school establishments and schools are already putting in practice active learning approaches.
For further information on how Curriculum for Excellence will support active learning in the early years, see A Curriculum for Excellence: Building the Curriculum 2.
Glenlee Primary School - active learning and transitions
The Curriculum for Excellence website has text and video coverage of active learning at Glenlee Primary School.
Let's Play Maths at Dunard Primary
Using physical activities as a context for learning about maths.
Nursery and P1 play programme
Dunard Primary School improved collegiate working between nursery and primary staff.
Moving image education in Early years settings
Mairi Flood – seconded to Scottish Screen in August 2007 to research and develop a model of Moving Image Education (MIE) for 3–7-year-olds.
Developing quality learning and teaching through play
Planning and staff development helped to ease transitions and improve the quality of play in P1-P3.
Free-flow play in P1-P3
At Caldercuilt Primary, play is an integral part of children's learning, not an add-on.
A Basque model of learning through play
St Timothy's Primary used the Amara Berri methodology to deliver the curriculum in P1.
Developing language through play
Victoria Primary/Nursery Class used play to develop language skills in children whose first language was not English.
Moving purposeful play into P1
Describes what happened when staff came together to compare children's experiences in nursery and primary 1.
Encouraging active learning in P1
North Ayrshire Council launched its Primary 1 Play Initiative with the aim of improving transitions between pre-school and primary.
Practical Applications of Contextualised Teaching
Find out how primary schools in Angus are using purposeful play to develop numeracy.
Curriculum for Excellence - Early Stages Unit at Dunrossness Primary
Dunrossness Primary created an Early Stages Unit to provide continuity of experience for children aged 3 to 6 years.
A nursery-P1 shared focus on literacy through play
Aberdeenshire's 'Literacy through play' project involved creating contexts for learning through role-play, conversation and discussions.
Introducing problem solving through play
Two North Lanarkshire primary schools and their associated nurseries introduced problem solving activities through play.
Active learning at Minishant
Discover how this Ayrshire primary school used active learning to engage and develop the numeracy skills of their pupils.