Mama Beech

At the end of the 6/7/8 sessions of Forest School a class does, we celebrate the finish or our F.Sch.Experience with a campfire and toasting marshmallows.  During the weeks before we have learned to observe a 'Basecamp Rule' that ensures the children are aware of the space where the campfire will be lit. Even if there is no firepit at basecamp we respect the area it will be (with younger classes the placing of a tyre in the same spot helps) and walk around it carefully. The children who have never done Forest School before have heard rumour of Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows from siblings and friends, and they constantly whisper about it from day one! We make it clear that a campfire is a dangerous thing, the potential for harm is discussed briefly each week, and the understanding that we have to trust the children to listen well and NOT venture into the basecamp space is reiterated at every session. Quickly the class will police each other, reminding peers to a...

Mama Beech is gaining her colourful coat for the Autumn months, and the floor is a gallery of colour and texture.  The children are amazed at the colours they can find. AND the life cycle of a leaf. We found a skeleton leaf today and the children couldn't believe how delicate           or pretty it was. The outdoor learning aspect of our glorious grounds is beginning to emerge as classes venture out to collect 'signs of Autumn'. The return of the 'Nature Table' to classrooms, or at least to a communal area is something schools need to think about.  We assume children see nature and experience it all the time, via a garden or urban park or near their more rural home. The reality is that many children arrive to school by car, or bus, and hardly step foot in the great outdoors. Lot's see a football pitch, or swings, or a bike trail at the weekend, but not all, and these activities don...

The purpose of Forest School is to engage in Nature. It doesn't necessarily mean having a task or a plan, we follow the children's interests and build on those. Often if you explain that the outdoor area would benefit from a Bug House, or how useful a Bird Box or two could be, the children are eager to help. However, in order to really enjoy nature you need to immerse yourself in it, get to grips with bark and boughs, enjoy the breeze on your face, learn to respect the outdoors and find what it is about you as an individual loves... For Year 3 this most definitely climbing trees! The higher the better It does cause a minor heart flutter at times, but like anything in life there are parameters to be met to keep you as safe as possible.  Our basic tree climbing rules are: Tell an adult if you are going to climb so they can watch  Look up and plan a route look down and know at each stage how you intend to get back down before you climb, wrap your hand around your ...