This week, our Reception class RB had their second-to-last Forest School morning of the term, and what a delightful session it was! The children were buzzing with excitement as they explored and learned in our outdoor classroom.

Our wild flower mini meadow is starting to burst into bloom, providing a colorful backdrop for our activities. The children were fascinated by the variety of flowers and the insects they attracted.

We kicked off with an engaging game to find silver birch trees, helping the children identify different tree species. During our exploration, we spotted an animal home high up in one of our hawthorn trees, sparking curiosity and discussions about wildlife habitats.

The morning was filled with laughter as we played "1, 2, 3, Where Are You?" and enjoyed parachute games, promoting teamwork and spatial awareness.

Many children were drawn to the swing and to the sand area, where they unleashed their creativity by building impressive mountains. Others expressed their artistic side by painting stones, while some preferred digging and swinging.

In the mud kitchen, a group of children went "shopping" in the forest. This activity provided an opportunity to discuss the importance of ethical picking and respecting nature.It's wonderful to see how much the children have grown and learned throughout their Forest School journey. We're looking forward to our final session next week

RB's Forest School Adventures.

Over the past two weeks, our reception class RB has enjoyed exciting Forest School sessions. Last week, despite the rain, children played games under trees and tarps, marveling at the growth of wildflowers. The highlight was discovering seven fairy houses complete with tiny cakes and cups!

This week, we explored a newly cleared area, played parachute games, and engaged in water and sand play. Mini-beast hunts and hole-digging were popular activities, while some children painted trees, made bird feeders, and created Pac-Man figures from split wood. The sessions encouraged creativity, exploration, and a connection with nature, providing a rich, hands-on learning experience for our young adventurers.

The children are enjoying taking on the role of photographers for our sessions.

A Glorious Morning at Forest School!

We had an absolutely fantastic first morning at Forest School, and we’re thrilled to share all the exciting adventures your children experienced!

The day kicked off with a game of "123, Where Are You?" The children were more adventurous than ever, finding creative hiding spots and giggling with delight. We then moved on to "Stick, Stick, Fire," where the kids practiced fire circle rules, ensuring everyone stays safe while having fun.

Our little explorers enjoyed sawing with a bow saw and splitting wood with a billhook and mallet. Some even started crafting snails and expressed a keen interest in making badgers, which we’ll continue next week. For those who haven’t had a chance to use the tools yet, don’t worry – we’ll offer them again!

Creativity was in full swing with peg butterflies, and the hunt for mini-beasts led to the discovery of giant worms and beautiful snail shells.

The sandpit and giant bubbles were a hit, and the mud kitchen was bustling with children cooking up imaginative feasts and playing with water.

We also made seed bombs to boost our species diversity, and some brave souls tried out the newly adjusted slack line with added challenges.

It was a glorious morning filled with laughter, great conversations, and teamwork. We can’t wait for more adventures next week!  Slightly less pictures than normal, next week we will see if there are some volunteer photographers!

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Embracing Nature's Wonders: RH's Final Forest School Sessions

As the sun beamed down upon us, the children of class RH reveled in the dry, sunny weather, finding cool under the shady canopies of ourtrees. These last two sessions have been a testament to their boundless curiosity and problem-solving abilities.Armed with loose parts like sticks, strings, guttering, and crates, the children embarked on a journey of cooperative play, ingeniously moving water and cork boats.

Their confidence shone as they chose their activities, immersing themselves in the creative process.Decorating and creating peg butterflies became a captivating endeavor, as the little ones explored how to attach antennae and secure the wings.

The mud kitchen and sand pit beckoned, offering a sensory playground where imagination and creativity flourished.

Our mini wildflower seeds have been thriving, and the children have taken it upon themselves to craft bird scarers, protecting the delicate seedlings and seeds.

The opportunity to use the bow saw added an extra layer of excitement to their forest adventures.  The children replenished the supply of wooden rounds ready to be split to make rainbows or for other creations whilst learning about keeping themselves safe and working as a team. 

With a keen eye for conservation, the children crafted seed balls or bombs, launching them into various areas of the forest in an effort to increase the diversity of native plant species.

As RH's final week of forest school draws to a close, the memories and lessons learned will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on their young minds.  In our last session, everyone found their favourite tree and took a bark rubbing.  We have started to learn some of the tree names, and hopefully the children will continue to both learn more and continue enjoying time outside in nature, getting muddy and having fun.

Another Fantastic Forest School Session!

Our Reception class children had another wonderful morning at Forest School today! They started by learning a fun game called "stick, stick, fire" to help them remember the fire circle rules. The children enjoyed playing this game and also began learning the names of some common trees in the forest, such as Silver Birch, Hawthorn, and Rowan. They made excellent observations about the similarities and differences between these trees, looking closely at their leaves, bark, and blossom.

During their session, the children had a wide range of activities to choose from, including making mini-beast homes, making mini-beast pictures using natural materials, using the mud kitchen and sand pit, playing with water, sawing with a bow saw, exploring the forest, creating rainbows on wood, playing under tarps, looking for mini-beasts, using hand lenses to examine leaves and flowers, and planting sweet peas and pansies. The children engaged in great conversations and collaborated with each other as they explored their own interests.

At the end of the session, everyone worked together to tidy up and leave the forest as they found it. They then enjoyed a hot squash and a biscuit in the bell tent. Back in the classroom, the children were thrilled to see a video of the fox cubs and badger that had visited the school forest.

Next week will be the last session for one of our children, RH. We look forward to another exciting morning in the forest and wish RH all the best in their future adventures!

A Wondrous Morning at Forest School

What an amazing morning your children had exploring and learning in nature at our forest school site! The woodland was alive with the sounds of laughter, creativity, and discovery.  The weather was fabulous and sunny, very different from last week’s drizzle and rain.

Some children got their hands dirty planting wildflower seeds, raking the soil, and watering the new seedlings. Last week we had dug over the area and some year six children came over in the week to help get it ready for planting today.  Other children made massive bubbles float through the trees and dug in the dirt to unearth treasures. Turning over logs, they found minibeasts scurrying about and observed them up close.

Their imaginations ran wild as some children constructed dens, chairs, and beds for our forest animal toys out of sticks and leaves. The trees themselves became canvases as other children molded clay guardians around their trunks.

The mud kitchen was a hub of culinary delight, with lemon cupcakes that would make any chef jealous!Games of hide-and-seek echoed through the woods, and some children tested their balance on the slackline.

Wooden rainbows were decorated with bright colours, and bird feeders were crafted to welcome our feathered friends.Mrs K will be varnishing the rainbows so that we can use them as part of our natural construction and creation resources.

Throughout the morning, your children showed remarkable poise navigating the varied terrain. They collaborated, conversed, and glowed with a sense of wonder only nature can inspire. They developed their fine and gross motor skills and strength and engaged in imaginative play and problem solving.  They showed great curiosity about the world and were caring about the creatures in the forest.

Next week, the children want to do lots of the same activities again in the morning (this gives everyone an opportunity to have a go at the things they haven’t yet tried if they wish), as well as make homes for minibeasts and make pictures of mini beasts using natural materials. 

S’mores and More!

We took advantage of the dry session to toast marshmallows and have s’mores around the fire at the end of our session today.  Everyone did a great job and enjoyed eating their cooking.  Everyone who wanted to toasted their own marshmallow.  There were lots of great moments and the children were really great at keeping themselves and others safe, following our agreed rules and taking care of each other.

Whilst Mrs K was getting the fire going, the children chose what they wanted to do.  There was lots to choose from and as you looked and listened you could see some fantastic cooperation and encouragement as well as perseverance and there was lots of pride and laughter.  

In the mud kitchen there was lots of experimenting with different ‘ingredients’ and children created potions, mixed blue and yellow water and discovered that they got green, made chocolate mud concoctions and worked hard gathering their supplies, stirring, mixing and talking with each other. 

Some children enjoyed creating some truly massive bubbles, easily 2m long!  Others enjoyed making smaller bubbles for others to chase and perfecting their techniques for creating.  The giant bubbles were inspiring and Mrs K may need to make some more bubble wands-hopefully the children may be able to help too.

Some children played in the sandpit-digging, creating and working their muscles!  Children also could decorate stones, make mini beast homes and Cherie bird feeders if they wished.  Some children worked on planting some pansies into pots to hang on our fence.  Mrs K has loaned us some pots and given us the pansies- they look very colourful and hopefully we will get some wildflowers planted soon!

At the start of the session, we played ‘1,2,3 where are you?’ And the children had heaps of fun and are being very adventurous in their choice of hiding places whilst keeping themselves safe which is fantastic!  Some children played stuck in the mud with Mrs B at the start of the session too.

The first week back, after Easter, is the last session of forest school for RGD. This week the photographs were taken by some children and there will be more opportunities for young photographers in the next session.

Toasted Crumpets and Popcorn!

A vegan feast was enjoyed at forest school around the fire.  Everyone enjoyed trying the different foods, watching it cook and being able to chat with Mrs K about keeping safe, making fires, snappy twigs and sticks and cooking on a fire.  Before that…..

We had star of the week in the forest with Dr K and then enjoyed a couple of games of ‘1,2,3 where are you?’ Next we found silver birches in our forest by looking at their bark.  We also reminded ourselves about how we keep ourselves safe and have fun in the forest.  

Everyone had a free choice of the activities available and there were lots of conversations, problem solving, co-operation and laughter.  This week we had some mud paint to explore, bubbles ( a favourite), the mud kitchen, mini den building, stone decorating, digging, hunting for  mini-beasts and  building more mini-beast homes.

Some children found some interesting worms, different types of slugs, a potential fossil (and certainly a big rock) and fungi growing on tree stumps.  The children are showing lots of great confidence and a real desire to learn more about the forest.  

Mrs K is going to set up the wildlife camera to see if we can capture some more footage of the animals living in our forest.  

Next week the children have requested more of the same, to play stuck in the mud and to toast marshmallows and make s’mores.

• Forest Wildlife
  A selection of film our camera has captured this year.

Windy Forest School!

We played with the parachute and practiced our listening skills and team work together then everyone got a chance to explore and choose what they wanted to do.  

A number of children enjoyed decorating and flying paper bag kites, feeling the power of the wind today.  A few children started making some mini beast homes using hollow sticks and straw.  There were lots of children enjoying digging and playing in the mud kitchen.  Some children were really engrossed in building dens for our forest cuddly toys.  Mrs K carried on working with those children that wanted to learn to saw using a bow saw and split wood using a billhook and mallet.  Both of these require teamwork and listening to each other.

Next week we are hoping to have a fire and also make some popcorn to eat.  

Block 2 Session 1 for RDG

What fun was had!  We reminded ourselves of the site, boundaries, how we keep ourselves safe and some new additions.  Next we played ‘1,2,3 where are you.’-a version of hide and seek.  This week, Mrs K worked with children in the tool area, using a bow saw and a bill hook to create a semicircle of wood which could decorated or left plain. This was really good for team work, listening, fine motor and hand strength and was very satisfying.  Mrs K will be doing this again next session to allow children the opportunity to have a go if they wish. 

The children had choosing time, many were excited to explore the new digging pit-I don’t think all the dinosaurs hidden in there have been found yet. Lots of children enjoyed exploring bubbles using different tools to create different sized bubbles.  There was also opportunities for the children to explore the mud kitchen, play in water, decorate stones, use the swing on our big Lime tree, balance on the slack line, pull logs and chill in hammocks.  

The children worked together to help pack away our equipment and make sure we left everything as we found it.  Some children were keen to see the fox and Mrs K will try her best to edit together some of the video footage she has captured when the forest is quiet and at night for the children to look at for next week

No one chose to go in the bell tent until snack time- it was too much fun outside!  It was good to settle down and relax a little with a biscuit and warm squash.  We had a look at some of the resources in the bell tent and after snack we explored Mrs K’s freely bag, looking for different textures and finding objects just using our sense of touch.

Some gloves got wet this session, despite lots of reminders- happily everyone’s fingers stayed warm and they are all starting to remember to take off gloves when the activity is wet-like bubbles and the mud kitchen.  Thank you for sending them in lots of layers, wrapped up warm and in clothes that can get messy plus boots and waterproofs where you have them.  It helps to make it fun and enjoyable as does the change of clothes and clean shoes to change into.  

RB’s Last Forest School Session.

This was the last session of our six week block, but don’t worry, Forest school will be back for RB in the summer term for a block of five weeks. 

This week we had heaps of fun and the weather stayed dry and sunny.  Everyone loved exploring the new digging pit that Mr Smith and Mr Edwards made-the sand is red but doesn’t stain clothes and is perfect for building with.  

There were some children who helped Mrs K split some wood for the fire using a knife and mallet and some children enjoyed playing on the swing, in the mud kitchen and painting stones.  

Giant bubbles were enjoyed by many and some of the bubbles were really big and beautiful.  We also had some children pulling logs, playing in the mud kitchen and finding mini beasts to watch. 

Everyone toasted their own marshmallow on the fire and got to eat s’mores with a hot drink.  A fantastic end to our forest school block!  Thanks to everyone who has helped to make it such a success and for sending them in layers, with gloves and hats and wellies.  

It was heaps of fun out in the forest today.  So much fun that Mrs K totally forgot to take many photos. 

Everyone started off in class, with a little chat about our rules, and what kinds of things were available to do today.  The children are getting much better at talking about how to keep themselves safe and look after the forest  

We headed out and played a game to get us moving in different ways, a wiggle walk was quite fun, and to practice some of our 'tricky words'-not entirely forest school but lots of fun.  Next we took advantage of the gentle wind and played some parachute games together.  Heaps of fun, lots of encouragement, teamwork and giggles.  It also was quite a workout!

A very quick tour of what was available to choose from-although the children are free to engage in their own play and often start with something that sparks interest and their imaginations engage and take it the direction that feels inspiring to them. 

Today we had:

Sawing and wood splitting (using a bow saw, knife and mallet and working as a team with Mrs K to then decorate)

Bubble blowing and creating our own bubble wands with sticks and pipe cleaners

Stone decorating (we are going to use these to edge a wild flower area

Slack Line

Digging

Bird feeder (this week it was making a cheerio bird feeder, last week it was seed pizzas)

Mud kitchen exploration

Paper bag kits

Mini Den Building

Water Play 

Campsite (role play)

Construction with natural materials

There were also hand lenses available to explore and look more closely at things that were found.  

There was lots of engagement and great conversations around digging and the finds that the children were making.  Their imaginations were really engaged and fired up.  Finds included: dinosaur fossils, pirate maps, rocks in need of identification and baby dragon tails.  Next week we have agreed that the Bell tent will be set up as an archaeological finds/Paleontological finds 'hub' where the children can bring their finds, clean them up, label them and maybe even make some little videos.  

We tidied up, working on learning about leaving no trace and looking after our equipment.  Next we had snack in the bell tent and all too soon it was time to get head out of the forest and get changed.

Next week we will continue with the activities we had this week, expanding our digging (our huge digging pit should be finished ready for next week's session and there will hopefully be buried treasure in there too) and it may be time to start planting some native wildflower seeds.  

Next week's forest school session is on Thursday for RB (8th February 2024). 

Forest School Fox

A little video of the fox sunning themselves after forest School last week.

Forest Fun Session 3

We had so much fun today out in the forest.  There was lots to choose from and lots of great cooperation and joy.  Some children chose to saw wood and started to learn about how to use the tool safely.  We also found out it was hard work and that the size of the saw teeth affected how easy it was.  The children were really great at supporting each other and they showed determined perseverance. 

Some children noticed their bird seed pizzas from last week had been gobbled up and a few more were made this week.  The children also enjoyed exploring the mud kitchen and playing amongst the trees and using rope to pull themselves up a slope. 

There was great excitement at creating bubbles, chasing them, watching them and generally having lots of fun with them.  Some children were trying to make them bigger, some were trying to make more bubbles and there was lots of excited conversations.

There was also the opportunity to make a paper kite and fly it in the wind- the children enjoyed decorating and playing with their kites on the grass.  Some children worked on making dens for their stick creatures using Y shaped sticks and creating fantastic structures.  

We also had a fire, we made popcorn and listened to it popping in the pan whilst we ate our biscuits and had some warm squash and a little bag of popcorn to try.  We shared our leftovers and un-popped corn with the birds and whoever else (the fox and squirrels) might visit.  

At the very end whilst we were going back inside in groups to get changed, some of the children played ‘fox, fox, goose‘ with Mrs K and had a lot of fun-hopefully we will get to play it with everyone next week.  

Next week the children have asked for more sawing, more decorating things and kite making, to make more mini dens and possibly to make an obstacle course.  Mr Smith (who has already made us a second mud kitchen) and Mr Edwards are hoping that our treasure pit will be finished ready for next week, I wonder what treasure we will be able to hide in it to be excavated?  The gardeners have also been putting down some wood chips and have declared that all of our trees are safe and healthy. 

Exploring Nature and Staying Warm!

Welcome back to our Forest School blog series for RB!  In our second session, we had a fantastic time immersing ourselves in nature and engaging in a variety of exciting activities. From playing monster tag to creating seed pizzas for the birds, it was a day filled with adventure and learning. Let's dive into the highlights of our Forest School session

We kicked off the morning by playing an energetic game of monster tag. The children had a blast running around the forest, laughing and trying to avoid being caught. It was a great way to warm up our bodies and get our energy flowing.

As the weather is getting colder, we took some time to discuss ways to keep ourselves warm during our forest adventures. We talked about the importance of layering clothing, wearing hats and gloves, and having extra thick, warm socks for inside our wellies. It's essential to be prepared for the elements and ensure everyone stays cozy throughout the morning.

There were so many activities to choose from during our Forest School session. The children had the opportunity to make seed pizzas for the birds, using natural materials to create a tasty treat. We also decorated stick creatures, letting our imaginations run wild as we brought them to life. The mud kitchen was a popular spot, where we made snacks for our stick creatures and explored the wonders of messy play.

Our forest provided an excellent environment for physical challenges. We had a fantastic time climbing up a slope using a rope, testing our strength and coordination. Pulling logs, creating bubbles, and balancing on the slack line added an element of excitement and adventure to our morning.

Nature offers endless opportunities for exploration and creativity. We had wooden threading toys and a variety of natural materials to build with, make patterns, and create beautiful pictures. Feathers, pine cones, conkers, and sticks found in our discovery bag sparked curiosity and inspired us to learn more about the wonders of the forest

During our session, we were lucky enough to spot a robin, adding a touch of magic to our day. As we gathered in the bell tent for snack time, we warmed ourselves with squash and biscuits while listening to a delightful story about a robin and winter.

before and after Forest school, the fox came to visit, unfortunately not during but here is a quick picture of our foxy visitor.

Forest School Session 2 was a resounding success! We embraced the beauty of nature, engaged in fun activities, and nurtured our love for the great outdoors. As we prepare for future sessions, let's remember to come dressed appropriately, with gloves, hats, and plenty of layers to keep us warm. Stay tuned for more adventures in our next Forest School blog post!

Forest School Fun with Class RB!

Hey everyone! We had an amazing time at our first forest school session with Class RB. It was a morning filled with adventure, exploration, and lots of fun! Let me tell you all about it.

After we put on our waterproofs and made sure everyone had gloves and hats, we learned our forest school chant and headed outside.  We headed straight into the forest and Mrs K took everyone on a tour of the different areas and made sure we all knew where the boundaries are.  We found so many interesting things along the way. Sticks of all shapes and sizes were scattered around, just waiting to be picked up and used for our activities.  

One of the highlights of the day was meeting the big lime tree. It stood tall and majestic, providing us with shade and a sense of wonder. We also had the chance to test our climbing skills by using a rope to make our way up a slope. It was quite the adventure!

But that's not all! We also met Stog, the stick creature. Stog was made from a wooden stick and had a personality of its own. The children had a blast decorating their own stick creatures and bringing them to life.  Some children took their sticks for a tour of the forest and some children grave their sticks names.  The sticks will be coming home, but not quite yet.  

There was something for everyone at forest school. Some children enjoyed playing in the mud kitchen, while others pulled logs to create a mini beast area. For those who liked a challenge, balancing on the slack line was a great way to test their skills. And of course, there was plenty of time for chatting and role-playing in the little tent.

Snack time was a cozy affair inside the bell tent. We all gathered together, shared our favorite moments of the day, and discussed what we would like to do next week. It was heartwarming to see everyone engaged and excited about future adventures.  Everyone enjoyed having a biscuit to go with their fruit and most children liked warm squash and gave it a try.  

We saw blackbirds, discovered holes that the fox had dug, and left food out for the birds to enjoy.

We can't wait for our next forest school session.

Remember, it's important to come prepared with warm clothes, wellies, waterproofs, and extra socks. And don't forget to bring your school shoes to change into. Let's keep the fun and learning going!

If anyone is going for a walk and could collect any pine cones (large or small and even tiny alder cones would be great) and send the bag into school (or bring in on Friday), we would really appreciate it as our forest doesn’t have any trees with cones.

In our last Forest school session before the winter break, the children had the opportunity to create their own wands and they were casting spells and playing games. Many of the children chose to use the forest swing in this session and everyone who wanted to, has had a go at sawing a log.  

Some of the children delved into the wonders of nature. They lifted logs and discovered worms, woodlice, and ladybirds, marveling at the diversity of life beneath their feet. Learning about these creatures and their habitats fostered their curiosity and appreciation for the natural world.

Our little nature enthusiasts had the joy of feeding a friendly robin. With carefully placed bird food, they observed the robin's visits and delighted in the special connection they formed with this beautiful creature. This experience deepened their understanding of wildlife and the importance of caring for our feathered friends.

The children engaged in a lively game of Monster Tag, with Mrs K, chasing and evading each other amidst the trees. They carried on playing together with awesome roars for quite some time.  In the mud kitchen, they let their culinary creativity shine, creating pies and soups using natural materials and their vivid imaginations.

As the session drew to a close, the children gathered around the fire circle for a special treat - toasting marshmallows. The crackling fire and the sweet aroma of toasted marshmallows created a cozy ambiance, fostering a sense of togetherness and warmth. To add to the festive spirit, the children sang their favorite songs, filling the forest with joy and harmony.

In the spirit of reflection and gratitude, the children had the opportunity to share their favorite Forest School moments from the term. Each child's unique experience and cherished memories were celebrated, creating a sense of pride and accomplishment. As we bid farewell to Forest School for now, we eagerly anticipate our next block of sessions in the summer, where new adventures and discoveries await us.  Until then, stay curious, stay adventurous, and keep exploring!

Wands and spells

 

 

 

Fun and Frosty Adventures at Forest School-RH’s 4th Session.

Welcome back to our blog, where we share the exciting and enriching experiences of our Reception Class at Forest School. In our latest session, the children embraced the frosty weather, explored new activities, and enjoyed some delightful surprises. Let's jump right into the highlights of the day!

As the children arrived at Forest School, they were greeted by a magical sight - a frost-covered wonderland. The crunch of the frost under their feet added an extra layer of excitement to their outdoor adventure. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the cozy fire, where the children gathered around to see popcorn popping in a pan. The joy on their faces as they tasted the warm, freshly popped popcorn was truly priceless.

Our little chefs had a blast at the 'dry mud kitchen,' where we used sawdust, straw, and forest-friendly dough to create culinary masterpieces. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the parents who generously donated kitchen equipment for our mud kitchen. Your support has truly enhanced the children's learning experiences.

In this session, the children learned how to saw wood (if they didn’t have a go this week they will have the chance to try next eek). Inspired by their previous bird feeder project, the children worked on making more bird feeders, demonstrating their creativity and care for our feathered friends. Whilst they were creating, some children were lucky enough to see the fox in the forest.  Many of the children saw the robin and we also spotted magpies, pigeons, blackbirds, crows and Mrs K saw the long tailed tits and parakeets later on in the day. They were all loving the children’s birds feeders-even the fox!

While the ground was too hard for den building under the big lime tree, the children made the most of their time by engaging in imaginative play with sticks.  Inside the cozy bell tent, the children used loose parts to create pictures and patterns. With their imaginations as their only limit, they explored various materials and shapes, fostering their creativity and critical thinking skills.

The frozen ice brought a new element of wonder to our Forest School session. Mrs. K had hidden surprises inside the ice, and the children eagerly explored and discovered what lay within. This activity sparked their curiosity and encouraged them to observe and investigate the natural world around them.

With the colder weather upon us, it is crucial that all children come prepared with lots of layers and warm coats, hats, gloves, and, most importantly, socks. We recommend an extra pair of thick, warm socks for inside their wellies to keep their little feet cozy and comfortable.  We keep active and the children enjoyed playing ‘What’s the time Mr Wolf?’ Today.   

In our upcoming session, we will continue to foster the children's woodworking skills by sawing, threading, and creating natural decorations. These decorations will be used to adorn our Reception Forest School tree, promoting sustainability and creativity. Additionally, we are excited to introduce the children to our swing, adding another element of fun and adventure to their Forest School experience.

RH continues to embrace the wonders of nature, fostering curiosity, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the environment. We are grateful for the support of our parents and the enthusiasm of our little explorers. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from our future Forest School sessions. Until then, stay warm, stay curious, and keep exploring!

RH Reception Class at Forest School Session 3

Welcome back to our blog, where we share the wonderful adventures of our Reception Classes at Forest School. In RH’s third session, the children had an amazing time exploring the site, engaging in various activities, and learning new skills. Let's dive into the highlights of the day!

As soon as we were wrapped up warm and out in the forest, the children couldn't contain their excitement. They eagerly set off to explore the surroundings, discovering hidden treasures and fascinating creatures along the way. One of the highlights was finding worms, which sparked their curiosity about the natural world.

The children's creativity and imagination flourished in our mud kitchen. They concocted delicious muddy creations and brewed imaginary potions, showcasing their imaginative play skills. Additionally, they had a blast playing with water, splashing and pouring to their heart's content.

Balancing on the slack line is still an exciting challenge for our little adventurers. They cheered each other on, celebrating every successful step and remembered to ask a grown up to come and supervise them. Under the tarps, they created cozy hideouts and engaged in imaginative play, letting their imaginations soar.

In the spirit of caring for our feathered friends, the children started making bird feeders. They learned a simple overhand knot and eagerly worked on their creations. Although they didn't finish them this time, they are excited to continue next week and hang them in our patch of forest.

The children enjoyed being able to use the bell tent as a space to sit and chat, to warm up and to look at and learn a little bout robins at the very end of the session.

Our young learners demonstrated their responsibility by actively participating in tidying up the forest area. Once everything was in order, we gathered around the fire circle for some well-deserved refreshments. Warm squash and biscuits were enjoyed by all, creating a cozy and bonding moment.

Under the guidance of Mrs. K, the children learned essential fire safety skills. They observed how to start a fire using a fire striker and witnessed the proper way to extinguish it using water. These skills promote their understanding of fire safety and respect for nature.

As we head into the next session, the children have expressed their excitement for what's to come. They are eager to have a fire, make popcorn, create more bird feeders, and decorate and make flags. It promises to be another thrilling and enriching experience for our RH Reception Class.

With the weather getting colder, we kindly request that all children come prepared with hats, gloves, and an extra pair of warm socks to wear with their wellies as. Ensuring their comfort and warmth will enable them to fully enjoy their forest adventures.

RH continues to embrace the wonders of Forest School, immersing themselves in nature, developing new skills, and fostering a deeper appreciation for the environment. We look forward to sharing more exciting updates from our future sessions. Until then, stay warm, stay curious, and keep exploring!

RH’s Second Forest School Session.

The sun was shining and we all had heaps and heaps of fun.  The children remembered our forest school chant and were very pleased to see their ‘stick friends’ again.  This week, everyone chose to have a go at building dens from natural materials - out under the branches of our big Lime tree.  

There were: slides, gardens, kitchens, bedrooms, rooves, front and back doors, cosy beds of leaves and even roof terraces for the stick creatures to get some sun.  The children worked together in teams, they were all great at sharing, talking to each other and making their dens sturdy using Y shaped (forked) sticks.  Stog, Mrs K’s stick creature, loved visiting all of the houses and having a guided tour from the builders.  

Everyone had lots of time to choose and everyone had a go on the slack line.  They worked hard keeping their balance, with lots of confidence and persistence.  Some children chose to play in the mud kitchen, some under tarps, some with water, some looking for mini-beasts and some decorating wooden stars for a project to help the birds next week.  

Dr K came out (he was very impressed with RH’s den building) and did ‘star of the week ‘ whilst we were having warm squash and a biscuit in the fire circle.  The children all listened really well and followed the fire circle rules.  All too soon it was time to get changed out of our wellies and waterproofs.  We shared what we had enjoyed using our talking stick in the bell tent and we are all looking forward to next week.  

A Fantastic Forest Adventure: RH’s First Forest School Session

The children were bursting with anticipation as they embarked on this outdoor adventure, ready to explore, learn, and have a whole lot of fun. Let's dive into the magical world of the forest and discover the incredible experiences our little explorers had.

From the moment the children stepped foot into the forest, their excitement was contagious. They eagerly learned the Forest School chant, "No lick, no pick, be careful with your stick," embracing the important rules of respect and safety within this natural environment and learning about and respecting the boundaries in the forest to keep everyone safe.  

After they had a guided exploration of the area, they went into the bell tent and there they met Stog, Mrs K's stick friend. Stog, a friendly and mischievous character, needed their help as he was feeling a little bit lonely and wanted some stick friends.

The children enthusiastically embraced the task of decorating and naming their very own stick friends for Stog. With boundless creativity, they transformed simple sticks into whimsical creatures, each one unique and bursting with personality. 

The forest came alive with the children proudly showing off their stick creations, playing games of tag, making swamp soup for them to eat and taking them back to Stog’s Box to keep them safe.

The forest offered an abundance of opportunities for our little explorers to engage with nature's wonders. Some children couldn't resist the allure of the water, splashing and playing with pure delight. Others discovered the joy of the mud kitchen; stirring, mixing and exploring combinations of water, leaves and soil to make their own mud-tacular concoctions. A few brave adventurers even tested their balance and coordination on the slack line, triumphantly conquering new challenges.  

Amidst all the excitement, the children found a moment to gather in the cozy haven of the bell tent for a well-deserved snack.  

The first Forest School session for our Reception class was an absolute triumph, filled with boundless enthusiasm, discovery, and joy. The children's eagerness to explore, their creativity in crafting stick friends, and their sheer delight in all the forest had to offer were truly inspiring. We can't wait to witness the continued growth and wonder that Forest School will bring to our incredible young learners.

RGD’s Last Forest School Session.

I want to celebrate the last session of forest school for our wonderful reception class, RGD. It has been a truly remarkable journey for these young adventurers, their confidence, resilience, perseverance and enjoyment seems to have grown each session.

During our last session, the children had the pleasure of listening to the captivating story of The Green Man. As they listened intently, their imaginations soared and their curiosity ignited. They all wanted to become guardians of our forest and look after the plants and animals that live there.  Their responses showed deep caring and love of the natural world.

After the story, they embarked on a mission to collect natural materials, which they then sorted and used to create their very own tree guardians. The level of creativity displayed was simply astounding!

One of the highlights of the session was undoubtedly the rope and branch swing that Mrs. K had erected and tested. The children eagerly took turns swinging on it, learning how to stay safe and challenge themselves in the process. It was a joy to witness their determination and sense of adventure.

In the spirit of exploration, the little ones also had the opportunity to dig and uncover a plethora of amazing treasures hidden beneath the earth\'s surface. Their excitement was infectious, and it was a delight to see their faces light up with each new discovery.

Some children took a more artistic approach and decorated flags, while others practiced their balance on the slack line. And of course, there were those who found  joy in playing in the cozy dens made from tarps. It was heartwarming to see them immerse themselves in these natural spaces.

Of course, no forest school session would be complete without a snack break. The children gathered in the Bell tent, where they enjoyed a delicious snack while listening to the enchanting story of the Tree of Wonder.

And let’s not forget the joy of getting messy! The children had a blast making mud, playing with water, and engaging in a spirited game of stuck in the mud. Their laughter filled the air, and their carefree spirits were a reminder of the joy that can be found in simplicity.

I encourage you all to keep an eye out for RGD’s display in Reception, showcasing the things they have enjoyed and learned during their forest school sessions. RH will have their first block of forest school sessions after half term.

Finally, I am delighted to announce that RGD will have another block of forest school sessions in either the spring or summer term. I have no doubt that it will be another incredible opportunity for them to explore, learn, and connect with nature.

Week 4

Reception (RGD)  had an absolute blast at forest school this week. They embraced the wet weather and made the most of their time outdoors. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched them balance on the slack line, showing off their impressive balancing skills. It’s amazing to see their confidence growing week by week!

The children also had a great time creating dens under the tarps. It's incredible how their imaginations transform these into exciting places and they were very popular when we played a version of hide and seek.

They also had a go at making flags and tying overhand knots. It seems like we need a bit more practice with the knots, but I have no doubt that our little learners will get the hang of it soon.  They enjoyed seeing the rain on the clear tarp that they were creating under too.

Another highlight of the week was the mud kitchen and water play. The children had a blast building foil boats to hold corks and conkers. It was wonderful to see their creativity shine through as they experimented with different designs.  They were very happy to share their creations too- if you have any spare or old equipment for our mud kitchen, we’d love to rehome it.

Of course, they couldn’t resist running in the rain and playing games like ‘stuck in the mud’ and ‘what time is it Mr. Wolf?’  Lots of fun was had by everyone.  It’s moments like these that remind us of the joy and freedom of childhood.

After all the outdoor fun, the children gathered in the bell tent for a well-deserved snack. They listened  as I read them a story about muddy puddles, and everyone joined in with the muddy noises. The laughter and enthusiasm were contagious!

I wanted to let you know you that RGD has two more sessions of forest school left in their first six-week block. It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I can't wait to see what other adventures await our little explorers.

Thank you for your continued support in making forest school such a success for our Reception class. Your children are truly thriving in this unique learning environment, and I am grateful for the opportunity to witness their growth firsthand.

The children also had a great time creating dens under the tarps. It's incredible how their imaginations transform these into exciting places and they were very popular when we played a version of hide and seek.

They also had a go at making flags and tying overhand knots. It seems like we need a bit more practice with the knots, but I have no doubt that our little learners will get the hang of it soon.  They enjoyed seeing the rain on the clear tarp that they were creating under too.

Another highlight of the week was the mud kitchen and water play. The children had a blast building foil boats to hold corks and conkers. It was wonderful to see their creativity shine through as they experimented with different designs.  They were very happy to share their creations too- if you have any spare or old equipment for our mud kitchen, we’d love to rehome it.

Of course, they couldn’t resist running in the rain and playing games like ‘stuck in the mud’ and ‘what time is it Mr. Wolf?’  Lots of fun was had by everyone.  It’s moments like these that remind us of the joy and freedom of childhood.

After all the outdoor fun, the children gathered in the bell tent for a well-deserved snack. They listened  as I read them a story about muddy puddles, and everyone joined in with the muddy noises. The laughter and enthusiasm were contagious!

I wanted to let you know you that RGD has two more sessions of forest school left in their first six-week block. It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I can't wait to see what other adventures await our little explorers.

Thank you for your continued support in making forest school such a success for our Reception class. Your children are truly thriving in this unique learning environment, and I am grateful for the opportunity to witness their growth firsthand.

Week 3

What a fantastic session it has been in Forest School with RGD!  The children have been busy exploring and discovering nature in all its glory. They have truly embraced the outdoors and all the wonderful activities that come with it.  

During our third session, the children had the opportunity to try their hand at balancing on a slack line. It was amazing to see their determination and perseverance as they worked on improving their balance. They also had a great time digging for treasure and were thrilled to find worms wriggling around in the soil.  

One of the highlights of the morning was definitely the seeing the children work together to drag logs with ropes, laying the foundation for a mini beast log pile.  They worked together and showed great perseverance. 

An activity that has been popular is the mud kitchen. The children got their hands dirty as they cooked up some incredible creations using natural ingredients. They also mixed mud paint and used natural paint brushes to create beautiful artwork. It was messy, but oh so much fun!

If anyone has any old or spare cooking equipment (metal, plastic or wood) we would love to give them a new, muddy home.  

In addition to all the fun activities, Forest School has some exciting plans for the future, ideas that are from conversations with the children. The children will be working on building a mini beast hotel and a log pile. They will also have the opportunity to learn how to tie knots and create flags to decorate their forest space. These projects will not only enhance their outdoor experience and our forest area but also foster their creativity and problem-solving skills.

We would like to encourage the children to collect natural objects such as pine cones, acorns, and conkers. If they could bring them in a bag, it would be wonderful. However, remember to leave plenty for the animals and the woodland. It’s a great way to continue to reinforce and teach them to respect and preserve nature as we explore and enjoy it.