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Forest Schools and Outdoor Learning
August 2016: This year's Primary 6 class embarked on their year of Forest schools last week, making rope swings and building shelters. At the moment the weather is mild, but please remember that we visit the woods throughout the entire year, so it is vital to wear layers, waterproofs and wellies or boots to protect yourself from wind, rain, mud, snow and everything else that nature can throw at us. Thank you to our parent volunteers, without whom we could not run the programme.
23rd June 2016: The Primary 6 and 1 buddies worked in partnership today to create faces on the trees surrounding us in the woods. Everyone did a wonderful job and showed real creativity. The winning design, voted for by the children, was by Leah S and Struan.
16th June 2016: Today, Primary 6 and their Primary 1 buddies went to the forest and worked together to create some beautiful forest floor art patterns. We were all impressed at the creativity and range of ideas shown by the children, and by the teamwork and co-operation which went on. We also managed to splash in some enormous puddles going there and back.
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E.g. Measuring tree widths in Maths
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E.g. Writing nature poems about what children see and experience at each session (depending on activities/time of year etc.)
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E.g. Bounce Back/Creating Confident Kids programmes will provide a regular circle time approach whilst in the forest covering Personal, Health and Social Education but also feedback on how children are enjoying and what they are learning
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E.g. Other activities such as geo-caching, den building and forest art as well as eventually things which carry more risk such as building tightropes, using tools and fire building.
Forest Schools is a learner centred approach which is responsive to the needs, interests and the disposition of each learner. By design, Forest Schools looks to develop the whole child - Creative, Physical, Social and Emotional, Communication, Knowledge and Understanding, Cognitive/Problem Solving skills, etc. It also aims to foster a relationship with nature through learning and personal experiences to develop environmentally sustainable attitudes and practices. There is also a major focus on developing the childrens ability to judge risk in this new enviroinment.
Take a look at the information below to give you more of an idea of what we will be doing.
This short film will give you an insight into what a Forest School is, why it is important and the numerous benefits that it offers.
It's time to rewild the child - George Monbiot
Click here to see the Outdoor and Woodland Learning Scotland web page
Weather
And as we're going out in all weathers, you might find this link very useful....
Click here to see the BBC weather forecast for Bridge of Earn
Whatever the weather, remember your waterproofs!
Clothing - What to Wear on the Top
Lots of thin layers will keep you much warmer than one thick one. We recommend that 4-5 layers are worn underneath the coat. For example:
• Vests (Merino wool is warmest. Otherwise silk, wool or fleece.)
• A short sleeved t-shirt or thermal vest (merino wool if you can get it)
• Long sleeved t-shirts
• Old jumpers (which you won’t mind getting muddy)
• A waterproof coat (which you won’t mind getting muddy)
Clothing - What to Wear on the Bottom
It is recommended that in cold winter weather, 2-3 layers are worn on the bottom. For example:
• Pairs of tights or leggings (Wool, fleece or thermal. Avoid cotton)
• Old trousers (which you won’t mind getting muddy)
• Waterproof over-trousers
Clothing - Footwear
• Wear as many socks as you can comfortably fit inside your wellies or boots but not so many that it's tight which will make your toes colder.
• Wellies or snowboots (bigger wellies than the size normally worn will allow enough socks to be worn to keep feet warm and dry)
Ticks
NB - PARENTS ARE ASKED TO CHECK THEIR CHILDREN FOR TICKS AT THE END OF EACH FOREST SCHOOL DAY.
A tick is a small, blood-sucking mite. Normally ticks live on blood from larger animals, like deer, but they may also attach themselves to humans. A tick on the body doesn't usually cause any pain, but it is still important to get rid of it because of the risk of Lyme disease and other illnesses. Watch the film below to see how to remove them safely.
Funding
We are grateful to Health Promoting Schools for providing funding for our Forest Schools project.
This project has also been provided with funding by Foundation Scotland from the RWE Innogy Lochelbank Community Fund.