Willows had been spotting birds last session and had created their own bird feeders with pine cones. They topped up the seeds on the bird feeders so the birds could continue to feed throughout the cold months.
The children played a game called ‘Spirit of the Forest’. They each chose to be a bird; a robin, a wood pecker or an owl and had to run and dodge, turning into a tree if they were tagged.
This week the children were introduced to more bird identification. They talked about the colours and patterns on the bird feathers and listened to bird calls to try and identifying them.
Then they found a quiet ‘sit spot’ and spent 5 minutes quietly watching and listening to birds. They then looked at bird identification sheets, some used their phonics knowledge to sound out and read the captions; robin, green finch, song thrush.
We made a fire and talked about fire safety. We used the fire to make a hot drink to have with a biscuit.
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.
Then the children played independently, climbing the trees, playing with the birds, making nests and creating in the mud kitchen.
At the end of the session each child shared what they had enjoyed about their session. It was great to hear such good thoughts and witness such great listening skills.
“I liked the hot chocolate”
“I liked playing with the birds”
“I liked making the big nest…it was a circle”
“I liked making food in the mud kitchen…and eating a biscuit with hot chocolate”
“I liked making the fire”
“I liked listening to the birds and sitting quietly”
