The Ranger's Story

Source: 

Second Nature - Environmental Studies Pack (5-14), SNH & RSPB - available from the RSPB.

Inspired by an outdoor programme 'Woodland Ways' developed by English Nature at Lathkill Dale NNR.

Time

15 minutes 

You will need

• The Ranger's story (see downloads)
• A costume or accessories for the Ranger to wear (optional)

Did you know?

In the last 200 years the demand for British charcoal, tanbark and other coppice products almost disappeared and it became un-economic to manage woods for this purpose. Native woodlands seemed to have no value, and many woods were cut down and replaced by fast growing non-native conifers. Other native woodlands were increasingly overgrazed by sheep and deer. As a result the area of native woodland gradually dwindled as the grazing pressure prevented young tree seedlings from growing and maturing.

Before the Activity

The Time machine stories were originally written to be told as a sequence of six stories.  See Introducing the Time machine for further explanation of how to sequence and use the stories.  Prepare the Ranger's costume if require and undertake one or more of the other time machine stories beforehand. If possible learn the basic content of the stories so that you avoid reading from a script and thus can use gestures and eye contact to make the story come alive. 

The activity

Recap on what the children have learnt in the previous time machine stories, if you have undertaken these. Scottish woods have been used by people for thousands of years. Some activities led to the destruction of the woods while others gave them some protection. Two hundred years ago some woods were protected because the tanners and charcoal burners need a continuous supply of new timber. Today much of Scotland's native forest has disappeared although remnants still remain here and there. It has become a high priority to protect and try to re-establish native woodland. The Ranger's story helps to explain what has happened in the last 200 years. As the story is in the present day there will be no need for the children to count back in time.  Read the Ranger's story to the class and use the discussion points below to reinforce what has been said.  

Discussion Points

• Can the children think of a name beginning with R to remember the Ranger by?
• What is his / her idea of heaven? Why?
• What has happened to Scottish native woods in the last 200 years?
• What kind of work does the ranger do? 
• Why are woodlands still threatened? Is there anything the children can do to help?
• Do the children value this woodland or a woodland near to where they live? Why?
  

Suggested Follow up

Ask the children to think about the value of native woodlands to themselves and to others. They could then make a list of ways to help protect native woodlands and discuss their ideas as a class.

Back in class you could enact a Timeline drama. Create props and costumes and count back in time, visiting stages of the timeline, with the children playing the role of the various characters.

Read other stories about historical characters across Scotland in the Time Team activity.

Research present and past uses of our native woods. 

Do some of the activities in 'Woodland Ways'

Downloads

The Ranger's Story

Additional Information

• The Scottish Wood web site and the Trees for Life site provide in depth information on our native trees and their uses.
• The resource pack 'Telling Stories' is available from the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
  

Curriculum Links

• Language - main
• Social studies - main
• Expressive Arts - associated
  

Age Range

• 2. Primary
• 3. Lower Secondary