| Links to the story | Key Stage 2 and 3 programmes of study | Possible learning outcomes | Big ideas |
| The Queen of May | …becoming very familiar with key stories … and traditional tales, retelling them and considering their particular characteristics | to think about the impact of May Day on village life and on the woodland organisms | flow and recycle adventures in time and space being and becoming folklore life depend depends on life organisms are organised summer stories Adaptation Oneness Geometry and beauty Health |
May Day is a season marker – a chance to stop and reflect at a moment that is on the cusp of spring and summer. Traditionally, with the longer days, warmer evenings, it allowed villagers to spend time together. It is a time from romance and the promise of new beginnings.
The emergence of the spring flowers reflects an order that is important. The bluebells and yellow flowers grow, flower and make seeds before the leaves emerge on the tall trees, depriving the floor of the wood of light for most of the summer months.