Welcome to our Term 2 Forest school. During the first session we learned about bats. They read facts and found hidden bats in the area. We looked at a bat box, played the bat game, learned about echolocation and lots of children enjoyed making their own bats from cardboard. 

In session 2 we thought about what clues we could find that show us which animals had been in the area, like buried food, fur, footprints, poo. We went on a footprint hunt and children made their own animal footprints with stencils and flour (particularly Iggy really enjoyed this). We read 'The mole who knew it was none of its business' and children could create their own animal poo with flour, a tiny splash of water and soil, adding feathers, seeds or other items to show what the animal has eaten. Try it at home, its great fun. Aryatara, Callia, Elias, Taylor and Polly were masters in poo making. Some chose to print animal footprints on paper with sponges. 

For our cooking session this term we chose apple slices with sugar and cinnamon, watching how the sugar turned to caramel. Linking in with their 'Great Fire of London' topic, children could choose to make their own houses to burn on the fire. Some children including Max, Henry, Harry and Iggy chose to show a music performance to everyone, making their own musical instruments from natural resources.  Callia, Archie, Henry and Bella particularly enjoyed the fire strikers.

We went on an Autumn treasure hunt, some chose to make streamers, others chose to make musical instruments with log slices, hammers, nails and metal bottle tops. 

The children learned about diurnal and nocturnal animals and created a LOT of Christmas decorations, using tools and natural materials. We repeated some of the names of the birds in our area, read a story about the starling and its murmuration. Sienna chose to plant some of our spring bulbs and Jacob and a few others loved the new log splitter, which will provide us with better fire wood. 

Year 2 is really enjoying the freedom of Forest School and freedom of choice. I am looking forward to more Forest School fun in 2025. Happy Christmas everyone. 

Year 2 Forest School Term 2 2024-2025