Forest School Sessions
All Classes & After School Club
In previous sessions the children got to know about different types of wood and what it can be used for. They explored around the woodland to find dry kindling and tinder to help build a safe fire within our fire circle. Below you can see both Year 1 classes making a fire safely and some of the equipment we used to keep safe. Some children wanted to have a go at adding tinder to help stack the unlit fire.
We discussed the fire triangle and everyone could say that we needed HEAT, OXYGEN and FUEL to keep a fire alight and saw how to extinguish a fire safely.
What a wonderful Spring afternoon Squirrels had in the forest. First we listened to to the story of 'TIDY' and got to know that the woodland area is a habitat and that it is part of an eco system. They then went off play and explore within the woodland amongst nature.
Boggarts, Boggarts, Boggarts !
Nature Club had a fun time making their own Boggart. Some children named them and one child told me that her Boggart will look after the birds and keep the tree safe. See you next week.
Today we found out all about Loppers. At first the children thought they were called Snippers or Cutters, which are all great names and fit the tools purpose. Soon after we got to know how they are used and the safety rules around them. First Mrs Reynolds gave us a Tool Talk and then we had a choice to have a go at using them. Lots of exploration continued for the rest of the afternoon and we had lots of happy and muddy children.
Quotes taken from children during their time in a hammock.
”Wow! This is like a calming, relaxing fun bed but in the forest”
“ I feel like I’m in a Spa Forest “
“This is so good”
“I could sleep in here all day and night”
Today was the first time Miss Cull visited our woods! We looked for natural materials to build a small shelter for the animals. We sat around the fire circle and discussed which flora and fauna were safe to use within the forest. Once we made the shelters some children chose to explore whilst others continued making the shelters by adding more foliage. Everyone had a super time; including Miss Cull our new Squirrel teacher.
Now you see us ...now you don’t!
After school club were busy in the woods today using flint and steel to create fire. When it started to get a little bit cold we decided to keep warm and have fun in the bothy bag.
Click the video above to watch us having fun.
After school club were busy planting Winter Pansies into our wooden pallet.They then continued the session making nature crowns and exploring the woods.
Hot Chocolate anyone?
After School Club
Whittling our own sticks, hot chocolate made from the water we boiled in the Kelly Kettle and toasting marshmallows after school …. What more could you want !!!
One child remarked .,,, "I’M LIVING THE BEST LIFE EVER ".
So do you ever wonder how we bring all the equipment back from the woods ? Click the clip below to find out !
Thanks to the amazing Mr Ball for making this forest nature table for the children to enjoy.
Today we were amazed by the changes we saw especially the Cows Parsley . All the rain and sunshine in the last couple of weeks had made everything grow really fast, some of the wild plants were taller than us! At the start of our session we were lucky enough to be able to spot a Great Tit visit our bird box. We spent the session exploring the woods and making our own nature bracelets/wristbands. As we collected our things for it started to get darker and colder as the clouds started to gather. Even though we were prepared for the rain it was not safe to stay in the woods knowing a storm was brewing so we decided to head back indoors.
FOXES and BUTTERFLIES CLASS had their first session in the woods. First we spotted all the different signs of Spring. We then listened to the story of ‘Bog Baby’ sat amongst the trees on a big sheet of tarp. The children decided it would be fun to make their own Bog Baby and give it a home in the woods. After giving it a home we then played and explored and finished with a game of 123 where are you .We had lots of fun .
Let's feed the birds!
To help the birds,Squirrel class chose to make bird feeders using pine cones, lard and bird seed. As you can see from the pictures some children enjoyed the feel of lard and others didn't. We all finished the session with Play and Explore. As you can see some children chose bug hunting, team games, mud kitchen and exploring.the woodland environment.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
Today was the first session of a New Year. We all had a lovely time learning about the safety and boundaries within the woodland alongside lots of team games. We looked out for different foliage and which ones to touch and not to touch. Learning how to tie a knot using hazard tape was a tricky challenge but we all persevered and put our sticks in a place to help others spot a hazard. We finished off with 1,2,3 where are you and then went back to class to get changed.
Thank you to all our volunteers for your help.
Badger Class had a magical time in the woods today. Even though the weather was still really cold we kept warm by playing games around the fire circle and wrapping up warm. We then made sleigh bells using sticks that were found on the forest floor and practised our knot tying skills.
Ladybirds class had beautiful frosty woodland day today . We all wrapped up warm and looked at all the different changes that had happened to the leaves, trees and foliage. The spider webs were fantastic to look at. As the temperature dropped we decided to go inside and finish making our Christmas sleigh bells that we found around the woods. We all sang Jingle Bells and were delighted to find out that the sleigh bells we made were a gift from the woods and we could take them home to keep.
Today was Badger's class to explore the woods. Everyone was so excited and had a fantastic time discovering and learning about nature. SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK x
There was a Gruffalo in our woods today ! A Gruffalo …why didn’t you know!
Ladybird Class had a fantastic afternoon exploring in the woods. Even though it was raining, the children didn't complain once as they all came dressed appropriately . Well done Ladybirds.
