The flash challenge this morning was designed to open up discussion around how to choose a safe place to set a fire. The class split themselves into groups of 2’s and 3’s, each group was given a cone. The challenge was to place the cone somewhere within the Forest School site that they felt would be appropriate place to light a fire. Once placed the whole class then visited each site and evaluated the position, thinking about risk assessment, wind direction and ground materials. Each location had its own positives and negatives that they then had to way these up in relation to any potential risk.
Once the flash challenge was completed the children then chose what they would do next. Whittling around the campfire and catching up with friends. Fire lighting and some placement art, always plenty to do. Through the combination of teaching skills and child lead play our Forest School aims to develop the physical, social, cognitive, linguistic, emotional and spiritual aspects of the children, no matter what their learning style.
Principle 4: Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
Article 31 – We all have the right to relax and play.
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- Immediately a team member spotted that their location was next to flammable wooden pallets.
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- Solution, just to move the pallets to a safer distance.
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- The grass was wet, would that have any influence.
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- When in woodland clearing leaf litter and debris out of the way keeps you in control.
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- Being in the woods means you have access to fuel.
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- After assessment this site was a little too close to some netting. They realised even if you had water to hand a fire here may spread very quickly and become out of control.
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- Understanding upwind and down wind is a difficult concept to grasp.
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- What could you do to protect an area of grass but still light a fire?
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- This is a good location. People could enjoy the fire from shelter but the fire was a good distance away from anything flammable.
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- Cutting out a square of turf that could then be replaced after use is a good way to protect the grass.
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- This one was well thought out. A good clear space with seating, near a fuel store but protected from the wind.
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- Meanwhile around the campfire, an opportunity to chat and whittle together.
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- The joy of success.
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- The respect position being used correctly.
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- Preparation is key.
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- Perseverance is vital.
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- Finally success, now a little light blow to help the spark catch.
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- In our creative area the children used natural materials to create these beautiful designs.
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- Two proud girls who managed to transfer their skills to lighting in the fire bowl.
