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Caring for the environment

Ben finds out about Beatrix Potter's twin passions - writing and the countryside

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15 minutes

Last on

Tue 26 Apr 2016 03:15

Chapters

  • Voxpops

    Children talk about their favourite Beatrix Potter stories

    Duration: 00:34

  • Gardener interview

    Pete Tasker, Head Gardener at Hill Top, talks about how we can look after the environment

    Duration: 03:44

  • Story

    Miranda Richardson reads The Tale of Peter Rabbit

    Duration: 06:27

  • Song

    'All things bright and beautiful' No.3

    Duration: 02:46

  • Reflection

    Ben relfects on Beatrix Potter and how she has inspired people to look after the outdoors

    Duration: 00:57

Caring for the environment

Caring for the environment
2016 marks 150 years since the birth of the children's writer Beatrix Potter. Today Ben finds out about her home at in the Lake District and how her surroundings inspired many of her famous characters, like Peter Rabbit. Ben also finds out about Potter's life-long commitment to preserving the environment and her relationship with the .

Before the programme - discussion:
  • Look at the focus image: where in this picture would you like to be? Why?
  • What activities do you think you could do there? Would it be a good place for a holiday? Why?
  • What living creatures do you think might live somewhere in this picture? How many different habitats can you see?
  • This is the Lake District - can you think why it might be called that?
  • A very famous author lived and wrote her stories there - we鈥檒l hear some more in the programme...

After the programme - talk about the story:

  • Why do you think Peter is such an adventur- ous little rabbit?
  • What do you think Peter鈥檚 favourite vegetable is? What is yours?
  • Why did Peter go looking for some parsley?
  • How do you know Mr McGregor doesn鈥檛 likePeter?
  • Do you think Peter learned his lesson after nearly getting caught (and getting lost)?
  • What do you think Benjamin Bunny had told Peter about cats?
  • How do you think Peter lost the first little blue jacket and shoes?
  • What other stories by this author do you know? Do you have a favourite?
  • Which animals would you like to write a story about - and what adventures might they have?

Follow-up activities:

Write or tell the story of what happened to Peter the day after the adventure in Mr McGregor鈥檚 garden. You could also have a go at illustrating your stories, maybe with watercolours, like Beatrix Potter did.

Look at pictures of Beatrix Potter鈥檚 house and garden in its setting - there are some on the National Trust website. Does it help you understand why she wrote so many animal stories?

Find out more about Beatrix Potter鈥檚 life - and why she was so passionate about caring for the Lake District.

Share some other Beatrix Potter stories during story times this week and vote for your class favourite.

What open spaces are there around you? How might you ensure that they are well looked-after? Design a poster for your school grounds, or local park, to help others to take notice and take more care.

Broadcast

  • Tue 26 Apr 2016 03:15

Teacher's Notes - Summer 2016

Complete Teacher's Notes for Summer 2016

Podcast