We started this week with a scavenger hunt.  We had 30 seconds to memorise at the 6 items found in nature, and then we were off.  Everyone found between 4-6 of the items but we also had a rather unexpected find …. a dead mouse!

We talked about this and how it might have happened.  It was suggested that we should bury it, and so later on, a grave was dug and everyone chose to watch it being buried.   What a lovely idea and a thoughtful thing to do.

As tomorrow is National Hedgehog day, we  listened to aa story about a hedgehog and also learnt why they hibernate.  Not only is this because winter is very cold for them, but there is also less food available  for them such as slugs, snails, beetles, worms and insects.  Hedgehogs are classed as ‘vulnerable’ and numbers have declined by 46% in the last 13 years.  Conservationists  refer to hedgehogs as ‘indicator species’.  This is because their numbers help to keep insect populations manageable. If the hedgehog populations drop, insect numbers may rise posing unknown threats to the delicate balance of the ecosystem.  We have become experts in knowing what to feed them – cat or dog tinned meat but not milk and bread.  Using tools for the first time, we made our own Forest School hedgehogs by hammering in nails to pieces of wood.  Don’t they look great?  All three of them are now hiding in and around the Forest School area.

We also had some pond dipping and our first attempts at fire lighting.  I was so impressed by the number of sparks produced (this was amazing and is very hard) and one person managed even managed to light the cotton wool to help to feed the fire.

We also had the slackline out too – it was very long and was pretty tricky but it helped us improve out gross motor skills as well as our social skills while waiting our turn.  We also helped one another too – great collaborative work.

When the fire was hot enough with white embers, it was time for the long awaited s’mores.   We learnt the respect position for cooking at the fire and all had a go at cooking the marshmallows.  I am told, they were rather yummy!!

Well I think we all need a sit down after another fun packed afternoon at Forest School.  Well done to you all!  Same time, same place next week?