In practice within a school setting


I'd like to further explore the research that forest schools is based on and reflect on the natural learning that occurs.

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Day 1 forest school practical

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Today began the practical part of our training and today was about coming together.  Creating through experience and sharing, a sense of community and place. Coming into training today I was reserved, I held my fights, thoughts of nay sayers, my own doubts close and expected to justify my thoughts to explain myself and to put my ideas into a context for others before we could move forward.  I didn't have to! Today I realised what it meant to be in the right place, at the right time and with the right people.  Our group is eclectic, people were there because they believe, deeply that learning in and of nature is the right and most needed form of education for our children.  We come with many experiences, much knowledge and thought but what has brought us all together in this place, as one this week is the same and for that I am truly grateful. Although there is so much about each other to get to know, there is a fundamental understanding that means that conversa...
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Increased contact with nature can improve the way children learn.

This paper which was referenced in the hundrED article Immerse kids in nature and watch them grow.  hundrED   states that increased contact with nature can improve the way children learn. The interest for me comes as I try to manage and maintain a mainstream learning environment and the expectations of that with my forest schools journey.  The key for me in this paper is that there were no negative outcomes from offering outdoor learning and that it was only enhanced by time spent in nature for a wide variety of students.  One of the 'key findings' was that „ "Learning outside the classroom was most successful when it was an integral element of long-term curriculum planning and closely linked to classroom activities." (page 4).  As I question more and more the input of the teacher and the lack of student contribution in many learning environments, this statement is both encouraging and evidence FOR including forest schools within the school setting but also...
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Starting out.

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As I begin this Forest School Journey alongside my current role as classroom teacher I'm struggling to marry the expectations, or perceived expectations of a program that is intended to accelerate progress of students in literacy and the process of learning through self discovery. I am excited yet nervous about embarking on this course and what may come to light in terms of my practice.  I feel torn between having school pay for the course, a little bit of pressure to 'achieve' something and provide evidence when naturally I would like to see how the children adopt the forest schools approach and respond to it.  I want to be sure to offer them an authentic opportunity and experience that is not coloured by my expectations or requirements. As I start this course I feel a deep sense of responsibility as a teacher and as a parent, a responsibility to allow for self expression and self discovery and not impose thoughts, ideas or feelings on my students or children.  I hav...
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