As we look forward to our Christmas break it is important that we leave our Forest School in a good state of repair. It was also an opportunity for those that had mastered the knots we have been learning to share their knowledge with those who found it more challenging. The children made themselves
For the last two weeks of term in DT we are looking at pulleys and linking this to our topic on Vikings, by seeing if we can create a pulley system to raise a sail. This week we have been researching Viking long boats and pulleys and sail designs. Next week we will attempt to create a method of
Year 6 spent their Forest School session trying to work out how to make a flying fox or zip line. They are now confident in creating anchor knots in the form of a timber hitch and then adding tension using hitches to lock the ropes off. However they soon realised it’s not that easy, you need the r
As this years Forest School sessions come to a close for Christmas, the children were given a free play session so we can observe what they’ve learned and what they’ve really enjoyed. It was great to see how independent and confident they have become. Principle 1: Forest School is a long-term proc
We were beginning our XMAS traditions of learning about the real meaning of XMAS this week and advent, and what better surprise could we have had other than SNOW! The children this week have LOVED playing in the snow together. We dressed up in our waterproof pants and jackets before going out to sta
Encouraging the children to experiment and challenge themselves in our Forest School helps to foster a sense of achievement. Learning how they can manage any potential risks themselves and so enjoy activities safely, gives them independence. Keeping a look out for possible dangers, particularly in c
Year 4’s boat building reaches its final stages, these sessions have run alongside the children’s PSE lessons which have focused on managing frustration, self worth, persistence and resilience. The children have certainly faced some difficult challenges that demand a really positive attitude, knot w
Year 6 children, who are already confident applying a timber hitch, now attempted to add tension to lines they have created. Without tension the line won’t support weight, whether a climbing human or tarp when shelter building, a slack rope will effect the integrity of the timber hitch and create sa
Over this term Year 4 have been working on their boat building skills, linked to their topic of Vikings. Knot work has been the foundation for these sessions. This requires co-operation and a lot of patience. First they were taught the timber hitch to use as an anchor line. Once this was mastered, s
Year 6 showed off their rope work skills this week. After being taught a timber hitch for anchoring, the children then translated that knowledge into the trees, creating their own rope lines. Securing with simple half hitches to give tension they had to work together to ensure tight and safe lines.
