Making a Rope Ladder
A video tutorial how to make a rope ladder. I love this way of tying knots. The left hand side and right hand side of the body working together. https://youtu.be/vNCi-7Hp_bA You can use the same knots with different lengths of stick or twig to make…
WAIT!
I’m one of life’s enthusiasts. A cheerleader by nature. Recently however I’ve been trying to curb my natural instinct. Holding the idea in my mind that I always need to be thinking “who is doing the learning?” This reflective question has helped me notice what happens…
The Theory of Loose Parts – or we get to play on the beach!
I had a lovely couple of days exploring the Northumbrian coast recently. I’ve been taking part in the pilot of Archimedes Beach School OCN qualification. There has for a long time been a debate over whether there are other environments in which Forest Schools can take…
The next best time is now
I’m working with a group of Forest School trainees who are reaching the end of their qualification process. They are sharing their reflective diaries with me which is such a wonderful insight to the learning and thought process. Messaging Corinne about things I read…
30 days, wild diary June 2016
The Wildlife Trusts are running a challenge for people to spend June connecting with nature. I’m keeping a diary of how I spend my wild days. Day 20- Wildlife Rescue. We found a tree bumblebee, exhausted and just sitting on someone’s leg. We popped it on a flower…
Wonky wood cookie wheel – reflective practice
The Forest School principles are a useful tool for Forest School Practitioners to check in with as part of their ongoing development. One of them states that “Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their…
What draws on wood?
What draws on wood? Anyone who has had to bear witness to my love of stationary and art materials won’t be surprised by the fact that I’ve been asking myself this question. I’ve been rummaging through my supply cupboard to experiment. All of these pictures are on dry…
Pulling the legs off a spider
“Play is a biological necessity that puts the child in the driving seat.” The play theorist Bob Hughes inspired the recent Forest School Association conference with his words about play. There were challenges in that speech for us all too. He talked about when…
How has nature held your focus today?
Skulk of foxes- a whittling project.
I was really inspired recently by a great whittling project. So much so I’ve been making these all week! I have to pass thanks to Carolin and Deni of birds in the woods. Carolin showed me this lovely whittling project and the foxes made by her young daughter….
Dynamic risk assessment or ‘shall we use our common sense?’
com·mon·sense \?kä-m?n-?sen(t)s\ adjective : sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts People often say that effective risk assessments are the application of common sense. I tend to agree, but, different people have different…
Affordances, or why we feel invited.
When I walk into the woods it’s nice to try and see what invitations there are for the senses; a whiff of wild garlic, dappled light, a splash of yellow woodland flowers, birdsong, an uncurling frond of bracken, you know, the things that really invite your senses to…
