The last session of Forest School of the year brings a time of reflection. The whole class thought about their Forest School experience and its IMPACT on them this year. In small groups they chatted and we recorded some of their ideas. The Impact of Forest School for the children is the knowledge the children have gained from the Forest School experience. The impact can be seen through the skills, tools used, art and craft activities, observations and knowledge of the fruit, plants trees in relation to the seasons and the skills involved in learning how to play Forest School games.
Has forest school affected how you feel about yourself and your well-being- If so how?
“Healthy…I feel grateful…I feel happy…Confident…relaxed…calm…positive….relaxed
Has forest school affected how you feel about nature – if so how?
“Nature makes me feel calm…Joyful….satisfied…calm, because sometimes it is quiet, but even if it is loud when we are playing games, that can be fun”
“I liked that we planted trees and did weeding…the bees really need the flowers and plants”
What skills did you learn or develop this year at Forest School?
“How to walk on a slack line….tree climbing…survival skills, we know what we can use and eat and what we can’t…I know how to ask for help with things…It has been cold and wet and we know we can be outside in different weather”
“I have learned not to go in the fire circle….creativity…I learned how to make a fire and how to stay safe around a fire”
What activities did you enjoy most or would like to do more of?
“I would like to learn more about nature…I love playing hide and seek….I like the creativity at Forest School….I like animal watching…I like the freedom we have…I like using clay….bird feeders…the hammock…making patterns on fabric”
“I like that you can go and explore parts where you haven’t been before…Making pancakes and the slackline were great”
What did you like about the woodland space and Forest School environments?
“ I like the swing, the hammock….digging in puddles….the mud was fun…I like the pond and the mud kitchen with water”
What could be improved about the woodland?
“The swing”
This midsummer’s day the children collected samples of wildflowers and plants on sticky tape to practise their plant identification knowledge, they tried to create the colours of the rainbow. They talked about, buttercups, daisies, clover and pine needles. The class noticed there were lots of yellows and greens, but not many oranges and blues.
We took a jar of cream to try to create butter, inspired by the buttercup flowers covering the field. The children took it in turns to shake the jar furiously throughout the afternoon and in the end it changed to make butter, which they tasted by spreading it onto crackers! The children discussed the changing state of matter from liquid to solid with liquid and were amazed at how simple it was to make butter.
This week the children developed their use of tools by creating printed flower butterflies on fabric. They tapped the juices of each plant out onto fabric to create symmetrical butterflies. There was some great creative thoughts and designs, with the children making intricate insect and butterfly prints. Then there was time to explore and play in the woodland area. The Maples class showed particular interests in physical risks and challenges. They loved the mud kitchen area and spent a long time using the hand wash to create bubble mixtures and then wash all of the pots and pans in the kitchen!
Now that summer has created taller growing plants, the class remembered the games they played last session and spent some time hiding. This lead to a game of ‘Owl eyes’, where the children had 10 seconds to hide and then see if they could remain camouflaged and quiet enough that they couldn’t be seen.
