Another fun packed month in forest school this month at Blackberries. The children have been enjoying the large range of weather we have been experiencing, learning so much about the affect this has on our environments. The children have been using their binoculars and magnifying glasses to make sure they do not miss anything new in their outside classrooms.
UTW; The world: “Notices detailed features of objects in their environment” (22-36)
The children have been finding lots of sticks in their nature areas this month, learning how the wind blows them off the trees and that is how they land on the floor. As groups the children have been seeing all the amazing things, they can do with the sticks they find including, mark making, using them as mixers and making fun shapes with them. It has been sticktastic!!!
UTW; The World- “Explores objects by linking together different approaches: shaking, hitting, looking, feeling, tasting, mouthing, pulling, turning and poking” (16-26)
The children have really enjoyed learning lots about the new bugs they are seeing out in the gardens, and the children took part in going on their own bug hunt to see what bugs or animals they might find in the nature areas. The children learnt the names of these bugs and worked as teams to find more.
UTW; The World- “Shows care and concern for living things and the environment” (30-50)
After finding all the animals living around us the children got to explore where the animals live. They experimented with adding different amounts of water to it and then seeing what it feels like or what marks they can make with it. The children worked as a class to add the water and had even more fun as a class splashing about in it.
CL; Speaking: “Beginning to ask simple questions” (16-26)
The children have also been learning about what they can grow in the mud, the children have planted a large range of vegetables, including potatoes, runner beans, carrots and tomatoes. They have even planted some strawberry plants. The children work as a class each day to make sure they are well watered and well looked after. The children cannot wait to use the vegetables to make some yummy food in a forest school cooking class.
UTW; The World: “Developing an understanding of growth, decay and changes over time” (30-50)
Some children have had lots of fun during their fire circle this month, the children learnt about the fire safety and have made up their own fire circle rules. After all the serious stuff was done, the children got to make pop corn on the fire, learning that it goes “pop, pop, pop”. But the best part was defiantly the melted chocolate and marshmallows. The children where very safe and learnt lots all while having fun.
PD; Health and self-care: “Beginning to recognize danger and seeks support of significant adults for help.” (22-36)
Another month has gone by and more staff training has taken place in house, some of our new faces have got their forest training certificates, allowing more children to experience the fun and learning opportunities that forest school has to offer. Here at Blackberries even the staff get to learn 😊
This month we would love for you to get involved at home here is an activity that you can do in your own gardens with your littler foresters, all you need is a cardboard tube, peanut butter and some bird seed. These make great upcycled bird feeders for the birds living in your gardens.
Happy Foresting
