On Wednesday another new group started Forest School sessions. In this group there are children from years 3, 4 and 5.
We started with a game to make sure we all knew each other’s names.
We then played a game of ‘one, two, three where are you?’ During the game the children were very good at following the Forest School rules.
The children were excited to use the bow saw. The children listened carefully to the tool talk and so knew how to keep themselves safe when using it.
Today a new group of children started Forest School sessions. This group of children are all in Year 4. The children made a great start, it was brilliant to see them making good use of the area.
This week it was the last week of Forest School for this group of Year 5 children. We had a fire and toasted marshmallows. Everyone was very good at remembering the fire safety rules. We always walk around the fire circle. We wait until we are invited to the fire. We kneel in the respect position when at the fire.
The marshmallows tasted delicious!
In our reflection time we thought back over the last few weeks. Here are some of the children’s thoughts:
“I used to not care a lot about nature but now, because of Forest School, I care much more about wildlife”
“I liked it when we got to climb trees”
“It taught me more about nature”
“I usually don’t like bugs but now we’ve learnt about them I like them”
“I got to learn new games from my friends”
On Wednesday after school all the staff wrapped up warm and went outside for their staff training. We found out what Forest School is and its benefits for the children.
We also learnt how to make a star using willow, how to use a flint and steel and we toasted marshmallows!
This week Year 3 used clay and other natural materials to make all sorts of wonderful creations! It was great to see how they persevered even when things didn’t go to plan. I also loved watching their different approaches to making their objects.
We had a great Forest School session this week. Here are some pictures of some of the things we did.
Peeling bark with a potato peeler
Finding insects
Putting up a shelter
Decorating the shelter
Enjoying a drink of hot chocolate in the shelter
This week the Year 5 children have enjoyed using our Forest School area. The highlight of the week for me was on Wednesday. The children decided to build a shelter. I was really impressed with the way they worked together and listened to each other’s ideas.
When they had finished the shelter they moved seating logs under it, built a pretend camp fire and we sat under it for our reflection time.
St Clement’s Stay and Play
This week we worked with Miss Grant in the Academy’s Forest School. The children enjoyed exploring and collecting items to create a mobile. All the children had a fantastic time climbing on rocks, logs, and trees and not forgetting, singing around the fire pit.
The children have been making the most of the area at lunchtimes. I taught some of them how to make bracelets using a special method of plaiting four pieces of wool. It takes a lot of concentration! 
In the afternoon Year 5 have enjoyed team building games amongst other activities.
The children had to turn over the tarpaulin without anyone getting off. It was quite tricky!
This week I have enjoyed getting to know the Year 4 children and helping them explore our Forest School area. It has been lovely to see them using their imaginations, being kind to each other and having fun!
The children are helping me to cut the smaller branches off the larger ones so that they can be used for den building and other activities.