2024

Class 3

Week 1 

We had such a fun time during our first Forest Schools session! We started our session thinking about the rules for Forest Schools which help to keep us safe.

We have been learning about the 4 seasons and we focused on identify signs of Winter in the garden.

We have also looked at the artists Antony Gormley and Andy Goldsworthy. We have created our own clay faces and natural sculptures inspired by their work.

We also practised our DT skills of grating and cutting to bake a lemon cake.

In the afternoon we had so much fun playing the wood cutter game and we even created our own Jackson Pollock inspired splatter paintings.

Week 2

This week at Forest schools we have been learning about the 4 seasons and the changes across the seasons. We talked about what the weather and day length is like and what clothes we may wear in the different seasons. We even talked about which season was our favourite. Mrs Starkey likes the Summer because it is nice and warm and that is when her baby will arrive!

In Art we have been learning to print using fruits and vegetables. We really enjoyed this!

We have also been using our observational drawings skills and have learnt how to draw Snow drops.

In Design and Technology this week Mrs Platts has showed us how to use a bow saw. We had to work safely making sure we used the bow saw carefully.

Week 3

At forest schools we have been looking at the weather and we have drawn our own symbols for the different weather types.

In art we have been thinking about texture and have create some rubbings of leaves from the garden.

We have also looked at the artist Andy Goldsworthy again and created a clay bridge sculpture inspired by his work.

In DT we have been learning how to use tools to whittle sticks. Mrs Platts talked to use about safety when using tools. We will be using these in a few weeks to create a journey stick.

We learnt how important trees are to us and animals when playing the Woodcutter game.

Week 4

This week at forest schools we have been observing the weather. We made weather vanes to test the direction of the wind.

We have also been learning about evergreen and deciduous trees. We have named and identified the trees in our school environment. We have learnt that in school we have lots of trees that include: Silver Birch, Weeping Willow, Lime, Maple, Larch, Pine, Oak, Holly and Cherry. Mrs Platts has taught us some facts about each of the trees and how we can identify them.

In the garden we have made observational drawings of the trees using charcoal which have been inspired by David Hockney.

As part of our Art learning this week we have been beginning to explore weaving techniques and learning to weave with natural materials.

In the afternoon we identified mini-beasts in the garden, using the magnifying glasses to look for bugs and we talked about their different habitats.

Week 5

It was our final week at forest schools! This week we have recapped our knowledge of trees in the garden and identified which trees are evergreen and which are deciduous. We have thought carefully about how these trees are different and how deciduous trees change through the seasons.

In art we have been using our observational drawing skills again to draw Daffodils using pastels.

Mrs Platts showed us how to make a den. We had to think carefully about the equipment we would use to build the den and work collaboratively as a team. She taught us how to carry a stick carefully and we wore gloves to protect our hands.

A few weeks ago Mrs Platts showed us how to whittle sticks and this week we create a journey wand to remember our time at forest schools.

In the afternoon Mrs Platts talked to us about fire safety and lighting a fire. We then toasted marshmallows, yum! What a great way to finish our forest schools learning!