This term greeted us with Autumn weather - wind, rain, frost and sunshine. We have to stay flexible and adapt to the elements, meaning we could not make a fire in the first session as planned.
We remembered some of the hedgehog facts that they had learned and some created a poppy from string and sticks for Remembrance day. The children enjoyed a hot chocolate, continued digging to create our stag beetle habitat and helped plant bulbs for spring time (fingers crossed the grow the right way up).
We played the squirrel game, burying and seeking acorn in the ground.
We talked about the fire triangle - fuel, heat and oxygen and I showed them what happens when you put a glass over a candle and we talked about which element is taken away. The children enjoyed s'mores from the campfire.
We received new fruit bushes from a grant that I had been awarded and the children planted these in the ground. They also collected new fire wood and built shelters over the boat.
As a Christmas craft, the children could use a log slice, hammer, nails and string or they could drill a hole with a palm drill and then paint the log slice. There is no electricity in Forest School and the children realised how much muscle power is needed, persevering to finish their holes.
We had peelers out to peel carrots, which is the pre-work for using knives. Some children chose to create a woodland area, decorating it and making signs. A very impressive bird feeder was made with hammer, nails, wood and seeds (and lots of team work) which now hangs proudly in the trees and will help our feathery friends over the cold period.
Some of the children made hearts with their hands at the end of the sessions as feedback which was wonderful to see.
Have a very happy Christmas and I am looking forward to more outdoor fun in the new year.
Year 2 Forest School Term 2 2022
