Numeracy in the Landscape

1. Numeracy in the Landscape • The following pages outline some of the different ways that the natural world can inspire Numeracy. Work by visiting school groups and primary school teachers on training days at Chelsea Physic Garden is also included. • “Numeracy” refers to the proficiency with numbers and measures. It involves gathering, interpreting and presenting data as well as solving numerical ‘problems’. • Even the smallest amount of green space can be useful for interpreting the natural world. • The first page shows an overview of this subject, the others aim to expand upon it. Michael Holland - Chelsea Physic Garden, U.K.

2. Numeracy in the Landscape links Scale & Comparisons * Measuring* Other Time* Area Sorting & classification* Counting* Pattern, shape and symmetry* Proportions: Fractions, percentages, ratios* Here are some of the different strands of Numeracy. Many of them have links to other curriculum areas such as History, Geography, Art, Design and Technology, Science and Literacy. Those marked * are elaborated upon in the following pages.

3. Scale & Comparison Life spans of different plants and animals Leaf areas: of different species Time scales The age of the Earth Decay rates of different materials Class members Large vs. Small Comparison Scale & Differences / similarities Role play: imagine being the size of an ant in a grassland; or a tadpole in a pond… Weights Seed comparisons: e.g. Coco-de-mer (up to 22kg) and orchid seeds (as little as .001g) Looking at the ideas of scale and comparison in the natural world can inspire a sense of wonder about its vastness and diversity and put us into perspective. Comparative biomass of different trophic levels

4. Proportions:- fractions, percentages, ratios What proportion of seeds germinated? How many seedlings survived? How many plant species are native to one country compared to the world? Proportions of one species to others in a sample - grassland, pond, woodland Of 100 Ilex leaves, what fraction or % have got 15 spikes? What is the ratio of leaves with 15 spikes to those with 1 spike? % of a leaf lost to herbivory What is the ratio of apples to branches on a tree with 150 apples and 30 branches? Looking at proportions in nature helps us focus on division, unity, comparisons, observations and different ways of interpreting the same data.

5. Counting Species number in a given area/sample Number of seeds in a fruit Make numbers out of natural materials The origins of number systems and counting Seed fall rates Number of fruits or leaves on a plant Number of stomata per leaf Garden visitors Number of legs on animals collected This area of Numeracy is common throughout, consequently there are many examples of, and overlaps with, counting. Estimates and averaging are closely linked. Number of plants in a specified area Number of petals, anthers…

6. Patterns, shapes and symmetry Number sequences: e.g. Fibonacci series - allowing plants to efficiently use available space (petal number, leaf arrangements, seed packing…) Symmetry and asymmetry: leaves, faces, tree outlines, flowers. Different types of symmetry. Tessellation Clearly demonstrating physical differences, the variety of shapes and patterns the landscape exhibits, inspires and enriches us.

7. Measuring Lengths: Paths, branches, leaves... Areas & perimeters: Buildings, parks, gardens, windows, glass houses… Weights: People, seeds, dry vs. fresh weights, Weather data Time Heights: Buildings, trees, people Sizes of seeds Creating suitable units for measuring: e.g. length of arm, pace, hand span Girths of trees: Link to the age of a tree (approx. 2.5cm/year) Measuring requires the use of different units - linking to counting, comparisons and the development of spatial awareness

8. TIME Plant fossils Evolutionary time Astronomical events Geological timescales Seasons Fall rates of different seeds Different ways of measuring time Decay and growth rates Make your own sundial or water clock Looking at historical World events in the growth rings of fallen trees. The concept of time can be useful in illuminating many aspects of the natural world. It naturally links to counting and measuring and change.

9. Sorting&Classification Dispersalmethod Family Plants Seeds Species Habitats, ecosystems & biomes Shape & size Creating identification keys Materials “Rubbish” bins: classify and sort- recyclables, organic. Tensile strengths of natural materials Colours Categorise plants and objects by their ethnobotanical uses Here are some examples of how aspects of the natural world can be sorted and classified into different groups. Recognising & identification are integral to this.