The children talked about which animals were native in the wild in England. They then spotted some animal tracks and looked closely at the shapes and number of marks there were, before identifying each print. Some children then used stencils to create their own tracks with flour and a sieve. Some used the stencils to create clay prints of the woodland animals.
There were some animal skulls, bones and feathers to investigate and the children responded by asking lots of questions.
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 gained, 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.
The rest of the afternoon saw Maples following their own ideas. They really wanted to continue with their work on the bug hotel, so searched for sticks and moss and other items in the Forest School site. They also made a sign independently, including some lovely illustrations of the resident worms and insects!
There was lots of independent creating with clay, from clay animals prints, to sculpture, pots and beautiful creations with pine cones.
Maples really enjoyed their den building and used secateurs independently to cut back brambles from their den area. The other tools they used were peelers to peel some. Old Christmas tree branches to make deer antlers and a handsaw to cut pieces of wood to support their independent play.
There was also lots of climbing and swinging and running around!
It is great to see the confidence in self-chosen activities at Forest School developing in all of the children.
