The weather has really turned cold this week, despite the beautiful sunshine we have had. Please make sure children are wrapped up for their Forest School sessions with wellies or boots to wear outside. Also, long hair should be tied back for safety when using tools and cooking.
KS1
This week the children have learned a new game, Duck Duck Goose!
Today we learned how to make a bird feeder using apples and pears! First Mrs Young showed us how to use the secateurs safely, using the safety catch and handing them to a partner by the handles. Mrs Young gave us each an apple which had had its core removed. We used sunflower seeds to stick into the apples as a tasty snack for the birds. We then put a string through the apple. We used the secateurs to cut a twig to make a perch which we tied to the bottom. We then hung the feeders from some branches in the nature area. The Year 2s helped to position the wildlife camera so hopefully we will catch some photographs of any visitors to our feeders.
Grace A, Teddy and Frankie lit the fire for us today. They all made a spark independently and then Mrs Young gave them a hand to get the cotton wool burning. We toasted marsh mallows today! On the way back to the classroom the Year 1 children visited the Rowan Tree and gave it a big hug!
Back inside, we shared a story called The Crow’s Tale. In the story, the colourful crow made a brave choice to fly to the sun to fetch a burning stick to warm the cold animals. In doing so his feathers were burned to black and his voice became a croak. He was worried that no one would like him anymore but the sun reminded him that it’s the beauty inside that matters. Mrs Young asked the children to reflect on the learning in the session. The Year 1 children felt that the birds would be thankful and might say a prayer. They decided to write a prayer for the birds and then we said it on their behalf. What a wonderful idea!
Update: – We have captured not just one thief, but three! The wildlife camera caught two hungry squirrels on our bird feeders and one hoovering up the spare seeds on the table behind! I think we will have to find a way to squirrel proof our feeders!
KS2
As always, we started our session with a poem. Then Mrs Young showed us how to square lash two sticks together. First we had to find some suitable sticks and cut them to size with the secateurs. Then we had to attach the string to one stick. Next we wound it over and under, pulling it tight as we went. Finally we secured the string so it wouldn’t come undone. We are going to use these sticks to make a god’s eye weaving next week.
To finish off today we lit the fire and toasted a marshmallow. Each week we ask different children to light the fire and hopefully everyone will have had a go by the end of term.
Back in the classroom we went to have a look at our vegetable garden area which has become rather overgrown. Mrs Young asked us to record our ideas for how the area could be improved. Hopefully we will be able to take these ideas into consideration and make the area more useful for our learning.
