We had the owl babies visiting Forest School this term. Year 1 played a bird game - trying to find wool of different colours and learning about camouflaging. We supported the birds in our area but making natural bird feeders from apples, seeds and string. After a couple of weeks they had all disappeared. Little nests as well as huge nests were created. The children were interested in how birds learn to fly and how they build their nests. 

To keep us warm in the icy weather, we made a fire and the children used the fire strikers or 'dragon sneezes' to light their own fires. It is not easy - you need the correct technique and strength to be successful - and the word perseverance come to mind here! 

We played a mammal game, reinforcing the learning from the classroom as well as the caterpillar game for teamwork. 

During our last session we read stick man and found him frozen in a puddle! We thought about what materials we could use to help free him and the changes of the state of the materials. Some children built rafts, building on their fine motor skills and practising knots. 

As always, the children have a choice of where and what to explore. They showed a great interest in the mound and suggested to build a play hut, bug hotel and bench up there. 

 

 

Year 1 Forest School Winter Term 3