11th-18th April
During our final session before the Easter holidays, we had an Easter celebration. It has now become a ritual to have a celebration session at the end of each half term. This usually fits with a festival, and I was very conscious that I didn’t want to use plastic eggs and found some metal eggs that could be reused for the Easter egg hunt. I also wanted to bring in some learning to the hunt, so I created a treasure hunt that used compass points as clues. The children worked together as a team to follow all the clues and then the eggs were given to each child at the end of the session. The main teaching during this session was about eggs and we found out about the structure of eggs and looked at the variety of sizes and shapes of common bird eggs. It was obvious that the children were tired during this session, and we had a few arguments and disagreements taking place throughout the session. We talked through their individual problems and used it as a learning tool to build on and develop more empathy and understanding of each other.
18th-25th April
I have hit the holidays and my plan is to complete the course and finish the filming that I still need to do which includes tarps, making objects, fire and cooking. I have planned and divided my holiday up so this will be possible. Fingers crossed for some good weather, and it will be great to get this last bit done.
I have really enjoyed spending time out in the woods creating the tarps and using the tools to create and make objects. I know that my confidence in knots, structures and using the tools has really grown and I know that I can do these things independently and with more skill. I enjoy practical exercises and have a love for making things and I am excited to be able to share and teach students these skills in the future.
I have been enjoying fire lighting and cooking these past few days and I have taken advantage of cooking outside and have made our family meals this way. It has been interesting learning about all the different fire stacks and I have mastered the flint and iron fire lighter. I am pleased I have had the space and time to do this properly and I have got the family involved too. I can see the end of the tunnel now and think that I am near completion which is a great feeling.
As with each section that I have completed I thought it would be useful to list all the learning that I have done throughout unit 2 to see the learning journey that I have been on:
· Learning about personal protective equipment and when it should be used. Thinking about what students should wear during the different seasons and when completing tasks. Also thinking about First Aid kits, happy bag, medicine, emergency contact details and allergy lists.
· Learning about tool talks and ways of teaching tool use, how each tool can be used in a Forest School setting and how this is done safely and responsibly. Risk and benefit assessments to go with each tool.
· Checking equipment, storing equipment, sharpening, and maintaining the tools so always safe to use.
· A variety of knots, how to teach each one and learning them myself and ways these can be used in a forest school setting. Learning to video knots, thinking about learning styles and stories that can go with knot tying.
· Learning how the tools can be used to make and create a variety of items and objects. Thinking about different wood and which is best to use in different constructions due to its properties. I know that I have also been developing my confidence and competence in using the tools and thinking carefully about how I would teach these skills safely to a group.
· Learning different techniques and styles of putting up a temporary shelter using tarpaulin and ropes and using knots that I have learnt in practice was brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed these activities and have used these on many occasions within the Forest School setting on wet rainy days.
· Building and constructing natural shelters was again something that I thoroughly enjoyed and again putting into practice skills that I had learnt previously was brilliant. This is an activity that I did with my son who just loved making dens with me in the woods and something that my forest school group has always been very keen to do. Knowing a range of basic structures has allowed me to experiment with other forms and this is something that I feel confident and proficient at doing.
· I found learning all about fires and safe lighting interesting especially the different kinds of wood to burn, tinder and kindling. With practice I now feel confident when using fire and able to build and light a fire which will burn long enough to cook upon. I also feel confident about safety precautions and managing a fire with a group
· I found the Cooking section really enjoyable as I love cooking so learning about the versatility of outdoor cooking was great. I tried every kind of cooking method and the whole family loved the meals cooked over the fire. I have a whole range of cooking equipment now and this is something that I will always do with the family especially when away camping. I am really looking forward to bringing food and cooking to my Forest School as this is something we have not yet explored. Cooking with kids is something I am very passionate about.
· Being confident and able to remove evidence of a temporary fire is of upmost importance and a major part of bringing fire to the Forest School. I feel confident and able in my ability to do this and again I am looking forward to introducing this element to Forest School in the future.
· I am also confident in my ability to leave a permanent fire site safely.
In conclusion I have learnt so much during the Unit 2 section of this course and it has been wonderful to have hands on learning and to have developed my own skills, knowledge, confidence and capabilities in tools, knots, and fire. I am excited to be able to bring these elements to my Forest School in the future.
1st May 2022
I have almost been working, studying and learning on this Level 3 Forest School journey for 2 years now. I think I have probably written too much but I know that the learning that I have personally done has been incredible. It has been extremely hard work balancing work/life and study, but I have done it and I can’t quite believe I have finally reached the point where I have no more assignments to complete and can press send. I am nervous about submitting my work but can’t wait to be able to move my Forest School work on further. I know that this is just the beginning as I now have a real thirst for learning more and continuing this journey. There are many courses within Forest School that I can dip into and keep my professional development going.
Thank you so much for following this journey I have felt the presence of you walking beside me and it has been wonderful to share this learning with you. Ok, it is time to press send, wish me luck. See you in the Forest!