Welcome back to Forest School Year 2.
We started off looking closely at what has changed/is growing in the Forest School area by using Queen silhouettes, focusing on a small area (and remembering the Queen).
This term the children explored conkers, learning the name 'Horse Chestnut tree', painting with conkers, drilling into them to make craft and turning them into rockets. The children picked tomatoes and carrots that had grown big over the hot summer months and collected sunflower seeds for next year.
Thank you to everyone who has donated spring flower bulbs - the children have been busy planted these around the Forest School area. We had also been gifted a new Silver birch tree as well as rhododendron bushes which were planted by the children.
A green and very hairy Pale Tussock Moth Caterpillar was spotted looking for a place to build its cocoon for the winter.
The new toy birds which make the respective noises were a big hit with the children. We have started a feather collection - if the children would like to bring any interesting feathers into school, they are very welcome to.
We went on an Autumn treasure hunt, taking photos on the ipads to preserve our nature area and not pick everything as well as staying safe from touching mushrooms or berries. One of our rules is: 'No pick, no lick, be careful with a stick.' which we practise regularly. They explored hammers, nails and wood slices, making their own creations. Some children decided to create bird nests, foraging for materials. They let their imagination go wild on the new pirate ship and some created leaf rubbings with the different coloured Autumn leaves. The hammock was always busy when it was out.
The final week was all about hedgehogs. The children walked around and found out some facts about the woodland animals, they built hedgehog homes, learned a song (lyrics underneath - sing to the tune of 'I'm a little teacup') and built mud hedgehogs with sticks.
I am a little hedgehog brown and small
very prickly, not that tall
if I'm feeling frightened away I crawl
and curl up into a ball.
I'm a little hedgehog build my nest
when it's Autumn leaves are best
When you build a bonfire have you guessed
check inside I'm having a rest.
Year 2 Forest School Autumn Term 1
