Parents and teachers are well aware of the growing pressure for vegetarianism among children. About 4 million people in the UK have now joined Plato, Einstein and the Teletubbies in opting for a meat-free diet. The Vegetarian Society is hoping to add to their number by promoting National Vegetarian Week from June 26 to July 2. A teacher’s pack - Veggies on the Move - is available to support its aims. This includes posters, leaflets and suggestions for classroom activities, together with recipes and meal plans. Will the lists of vegetarian TV and pop stars, led by Sir Paul McCartney, ultimately prove more persuasive than the blandishments of the burger bar? Veggies on the Move is available free from the Vegetarian Society. Tel: 0161 925 2000. Fax: 0161 926 9182. Website: www.vegsoc.org TD
Heron Educational’s products always have some interesting storage features. The company’s stand at the Education Show revealed that the problem of keeping all that mental maths material tidy and intact has recently been addressed. There’s a table-top unit, supplied with four removable plastic pots, which are ideal for storing digit cards, number fans, counters and so on. These cost pound;9.99. Hanging storage at pound;19.95 - all the rage these days - can accommodate a whole range of maths material in nine clear pockets, making everything accessible to pupils. Also available is a portable wooden unit with six compartments on two levels, price pound;59.99. More information from Heron Educational, Novara House, Excelsior Road, Ashby Park, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, LE65 1NG. Tel: 01530 418231, email jburn@novar.co.uk. H
The smallest adjustment to frequently used products can help make the teacher’s life just that bit easier. Fans of Bostik PVA mediums will be pleased to hear they are now available in five-litre containers, complete with newly designed application nozzles to improve flow and prevent clogging. There are now three types of PVA medium - Arts and Crafts, which can be mixed with paints for modelling and collage work; Craft PVA, a strong bonding for a wide range of materials which can also be used as a glaze if mixed with water and PVA Washable, ideal for use with young children, as it is easily removed from clothes, and can bond paper, wood and other craft materials. The normal retail price for five litres starts at pound;13.99. More information from Bostik, Ulverscroft Road, Leicester LE4 6BW. Tel: 0116 251 0015 (customer services) SH
Remember Molly, the delightfully squashy hand puppet with the mobile mouth and flexible digits which won The TESBESA educational equipment award in 1997? Molly’s family ( 20 German-made figures with varying skin tones, called Kumquats) are all available from The Puppet Workshop in Eastbourne, and can be pressed into service for circle time, talking to shy children, dealing with emotional issues - in fact, any school activities involving communication. pound;98 from The Puppet Workshop, Unit 3, Commercial Mews South, 42a Commercial Road, Eastbourne BN2 3XF. Tel: 01323 417 776. Fax: 01323 644 440. E-mail: puppet.workshop@virgin.net. You’ll find Molly herself with a separate distributor, LDA Tel: 01223 365445. E-mail: Idaorder@compuserve.com PB
