The day was warmer than we expected, but we set off another way to the woods, because last week it was incredibly muddy.
We looked at a map which showed us what wild animals we might see and at some of the other features of the map.
We talked about animal tracks and the children all had a sheet to help them identify and spot different wild animals’ tracks along our route.
The children used stencils to create the tracks of badgers, deer and foxes.
We took a different route along the ‘badger track’ and found lots of evidence of them digging in the earth for food such as worms and saw lots of holes which were the entrances to the badger sets in the side of the bank.
The children showed the IMPACT of Forest School on their scientific questioning. They learned that iron in the soil and rock turns the water orange. They then asked why some water was orange and some was clear? They then used their knowledge to answer their own questions.
Once in the woods, the children showed the IMPACT of Forest School by exploring the fallen oak tree.
They used their increased confidence in climbing to explore the tree from all sides and enjoyed the view of the woods from a higher viewpoint.
It was brilliant to see just how much learning can come out of a fallen tree and the children’s questions, ideas and imagination.
We played woodland whispers at the end of the session and managed to be silent enough when passing on our whisper to hear the birds singing whilst we listened.
The children shared what they had enjoyed and showed the IMPACT of Forest School in today’s session.
“I liked climbing on the ropes”
“I liked playing shops in the woods”
“I loved exploring the fallen tree”
“I liked talking about iron and elements”
“I liked using the flour to make animal prints”
“I liked EVERYTHING!”
Thanks again for our brilliant volunteers who support, listen, question, engage and encourage the children with all of their Forest School experience.
