On Thursday 7th December, Maple class set of for a muddy walk to Forest School, talking about the noise their boots made as they walked and jumped in the mud:
“squelch”
As they walked along the Forest Way, the class were on the hunt for a large stick to take back to school for an outside project they are doing. They spotted one in the hedge and there was some great team work as it took quite a few working together to pull it out and then carry the long stick all the way to Forest School. Some children found slightly smaller sticks that they used to push the fallen leaves along the floor
“I’m sweeping leaves”
Once in the woods they were having their first sessions with fire, so recapped on how to be safe around the fire circle Some helped to lay the fire, starting by placing larger sticks at the bottom and stacking it up to smaller sticks on the top. They then had a go at using a flint and steal to strike a piece of wool cotton; this can be really tricky but with a little help they managed to light it.
When the fire was going Maple Class took it in turns to come into the fire circle and toast a marshmallow. They carefully knelt down on one knee and held their marshmallow over the flames turning it till it was all toasted. The marshmallow was placed between two biscuits ready to be eaten:
“yummy”
The children then had time for some great free play in the woods. A group explored the ditch, running and splashing in the water pretending to be motorbikes. Some children practiced their balancing skills on the slack line and others used the hammock as a swing.
Using a tin some of Maple class created a mini bug hotel. They collected moss, leaves and sticks and placed them inside the tin to make it cosy for any visitors, talking about what may come to live in their mini bug hotel:
“a spider”
“a bee”
The session finished sitting around the fire enjoying a hot chocolate and listening to what each had enjoyed about Forest School that day:
“I liked all of it” “S’mores”
“Motorbike game in the ditch”
