Botley School Remote Learning Plan: Forest School
Forest School During Remote Learning
While traditional Forest School sessions thrive on outdoor, in-person experiences, we understand the importance of maintaining a connection with nature and the Forest School ethos during remote learning. We will provide activities and resources to support this.
Forest School Activities at Home:
To keep the spirit of Forest School alive, we encourage children to engage in the following activities at home, where possible:
- Nature Observation: Encourage children to spend time outdoors, observing the natural world. This could involve looking at plants, insects, birds, or the weather. They can record their observations in a nature journal or through drawings.
- Nature Crafts: Simple nature crafts can be done at home using materials found in the garden or during walks. Examples include creating leaf rubbings, making stick men, or building a mini-bug hotel.
- Storytelling and Imaginative Play: Encourage children to use natural materials to create stories or engage in imaginative play. They could build a fairy house from twigs or create a nature-themed puppet show.
- Mindfulness in Nature: Spending time in nature can promote mindfulness and wellbeing. Encourage children to find a quiet spot in the garden or a local park to listen to the sounds of nature and appreciate the natural world.
Online Resources:
We will use online resources to supplement home-based Forest School activities:
- WeBeKids: WeBeKids offers stories, crafts, and mindfulness activities:
- The Big Garden Birdwatch 2024 (and future years): This annual event (usually end of January) is a great opportunity to connect with nature and contribute to citizen science. Spend an hour observing and recording garden birds and submit your results online to the RSPB. Details for the upcoming and future years' events will be shared closer to the time.
Communication and Support:
Forest School Leaders will share activity ideas and resources through the class Teams page or via Tapestry (for Early Years). They will also be available to answer questions and provide support.