The shape of this multi-stemmed Oak at the eastern edge of Prior Royd may date from the time at which the woods were coppiced to produce charcoal and other woodland products.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES FROM THE SCHOOLS SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE
The Schools section of this website provides units of work covering a wide range of subject areas and Key Stages. Although, all or most of these units, would be suitable for use in these woodlands, some are particularly appropriate, and for this reason, direct links to these downloadable materials are provided below.

Key Stage 1 Numeracy - 'Use your Senses'
The relatively remote nature of the site (particularly compared to some of the other Heritage Woodlands) makes it particularly suitable for this unit of work which explores use of the senses in a woodland environment.

Key Stage 1 Maths - 'Looking at Leaves'
The wide range of tree species in the woods make them particularly suitable for this unit with its focus on leaf shape and symmetry.

Key Stage 2 Art - 'Signposts'
The development of waymarking is one priority for the woodlands under the Fuelling a Revolution programme. Children could use this unit to develop their own designs for this, perhaps based on the trail described elsewhere in this section of this website.

Key Stage 2 P.E. - 'Woodland Adventures'
More open areas of Wheata Wood, in particular those along the Trans-Pennine trail to the north and south of the car park would be particularly suitable for this unit. When using these areas, care should be taken not to damage the site, for example by avoiding areas rich in woodland wildflowers.

Key Stage 3 Science - 'Woodland Survival'
Examples of all of the different adaptations to woodland life listed on the pupil sheet can be found in the three woodlands.

Key Stage 3 Science - 'Are All Woods the Same?'
An area of mature trees in Wheata Wood could be contrasted with an area of younger trees at the top end of Prior Royd.

Alternatively, areas dominated by tree species native to the area (such as Oak and Birch) could be contrasted with those dominated by non-native species (e.g. Beech, Sweet Chestnut or conifers).

Finally, a comparison could be made between the the edges and interior of the woodland, and between this and adjacent areas of open space.

Key Stage 3 Science - 'Tree of Life'
The existence of woodland areas dominated by single species (e.g. Oak, Beech, Sweet Chestnut or Sycamore) makes this a good site for this unit considering one tree species and its associated flora and fauna.

Key Stage 3 Science - 'What causes plants to change?'
The frequent occurrence of Holly at the site provides ample opportunity for the study of environmentally caused variations in leaf shape.

Key Stage 3 Geography - 'Woodland Climates'
Examine the effect of changing altitude and woodland structure on local climate by taking measurements along a transect running through Wheata Wood and downhill to the lower edge of Prior Royd.

Key Stage 3 Art & Design - 'Recreating Woodlands'
Combine observations made within the woodlands with views from the woodland edges into a textile design based on the natural world.

Key Stage 3 Art - 'Fuelling a Revolution'
Being heavily used by the public, Wheata Wood could provide a good venue for the design of sculpture for a woodland site.

In addition, other useful resources from the Fuelling a Revolution education packs and from 'get, set... Grow', the South Yorkshire Forest schools' pack, can be downloaded from Downloadable Pupil and Teacher Resources for Key Stage 2 in the Schools section of this site.

The 'Tree File' CD ROM that accompanies the 'get, set... Grow' pack contains identification details and background information for all of the major tree and shrub species found in the wood including Oak, Beech, Sweet Chestnut, Sycamore, Birch, Holly, Hazel and Alder. For further information, go to the section on printed education materials in the Schools section of this website.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Key Stage 3 Science
The development of Oak/Birch woodland could be examined by comparing a number of different locations, including:

1. The heathland area between Wheata Wood and Prior Royd, which is being invaded by Birches.

2. Upper areas of Prior Royd where stands of dense, even-aged, birch act as a 'nurse-crop' for the Oaks which grow tall and straight in the light shade of the Birch. Former heathland vegetation is still clearly evident under the trees here.

3. The central area of Wheata Wood where there is a canopy of mature Birch and young Oaks, together with scattered Rowan, Sweet Chestnut and Holly.

4. Mature Oak/Birch communities in lower parts of Wheata Wood where there are tall, mature, single trunked Oaks with over-mature Birches.

The species composition and structure of these areas could be compared using quadrats and by drawing cross-section diagrams.

Key Stage 3 Science
Study the effect of recent woodland management in Wheata Wood on the diversity of the ground flora.

Place metre square quadrats randomly in three or four different areas, for example:

• An area coppiced, thinned or group felled recently, preferably within the past year.
  
• An area coppiced, thinned or group felled two to five years ago.
  
• An area coppiced, thinned or group felled between five to fifteen years ago and in which there has been a considerable amount of tree regeneration.
  
• An area of 'high forest' where coppicing, thinning or group felling has not taken place in the recent past. (the control)

Record light and temperature levels, soil type and pH and measure the percentage cover of selected species and of all plant species taken together. Correlate this data with light levels using scattergraphs or other methods of comparison. If Dog's Mercury is present in the area, it may be possible to relate the number of shoots to light intensity.