The P4 to P7 children have been learning how to use tools safely at Forest Schools. We have managed to cut a large log into 3 sections and by use of a rope winch, hauled it up hill to make a new seating area. We have a parachute which is used as a shelter for the children to use as a place to share their Forest experiences in a circle and to have a warm cup of hot chocolate and a biscuit!
The children enjoy making sculptures from mud and other natural items. Last week the Early Years Class had to re-make their shelters for the little people of the Forest, as the dragon had blown them away!
The older class have been working in teams to build shelters. The teams gave short presentations to the group about their shelters explaining all aspects of how they developed their ideas to build their shelters.
The children also take part in an activity called "Special Spot". Each child is given the opportunity to find and choose a "special spot" in the Forest. Each week the children sit in their special spot silently and listen and look at the Forest. The children spot different things and hear different sounds. The children are given the opportuntiy to tell the group about their experiences back at base camp.
One group learnt to make a wood store to store all the wood we are going to use to light our fire. Firelighting and collecting the correct size dry sticks, was found to be very challenging for the children.
All the learning experiences are taken back to the classroom and used to further develop all aspects of the Curriculum for Excellence.
Some comments from the children about Forest Schools:
"I love getting muddy"
"A robin followed us everywhere today"
" I saw a spiders web and it had all silvery rain drops on it"
" I love being outside and learning"
You can read a brief history of the roots of Forest Schools in the UK.
One of the shelters built by working together
View above a special spot
