Monday 31 October 2011

Half Term Play

So we went to Scotland to hunt for eagles-sadly no joy, although we did get some great views of a Peregrine Falcon bathing at Caerlaverock. My two were disappointed but that didn't stop us having some fun, with a little bit of work thrown in!!!

They sat in silence to listen to the geese arriving...


...and big sister shared her knowledge (at home she's known as the next Kate Humble!)



There were some creations too; this was made from different coloured reeds...



Whilst this frame proved useful to show off some randomly collected items:




William spent quite some time tracing the shapes he found on these lovely seats, useful for a young boy whose doesn't like letters as they are "work!"



  



And the weather and the scenery were stunning-just what the doctor ordered!!



Monday 17 October 2011

6 weeks in...

Well six weeks into the new term and its been a rollercoaster ride.

Getting to know lots of new staff and pupils, working out how to get around the new schools, finding keys to all the locks that nobody has used for months and eeking out corners to store equipment. Its taken a while to feel settled and safe. As usual sessions with the children have provided an anchor. Feeling that they are being supported and in some cases enjoying the sessions makes all the rest worthwhile, although it can be hard to hold onto that sometimes!

This weeks highlights have included: some environmental art...




a dinosaur footprint...



and some earthworks to defend the den...



It hasn't all been positive outcomes though. We had a failed attempt at a fire which the year 6 (non directed) group had asked for so they could make hot chocolate.  But the two pupils(out of 30!) who stayed the distance were pretty close to getting it going. Fingers crossed they are keen to continue the challenge next session, they had worked well together and problem solved each time it didn't work. Now they need to keep trying and see that the effort of learning was worth it!

They had a lot of peer support too although the class were frustrated when the whistle blew that it was the end of the session and they realised they weren't going to be served hot chocolate.

It will be interesting to see how many volunteers there are this week to create the fire...

Monday 10 October 2011

Therapeutic Horticulture

Having moved sideways from therapeutic horticulture to therapeutic naturework I have found myself moving back again this week with around half my pupils choosing to sow seeds or plant bulbs.

Some pupils planted everything really close together.




Some chose the easiest pot to weed...


...whilst others took the more difficult route...


Some just played with the compost; with several really enjoying the experience of being given permission to get dirty...



We shared a lot of useful conversations, quite a lot centering on whose responsibility the plants are, with a number of pupils naming everybody but themselves.

I think this will be a theme we're working on for a while!!


Sunday 2 October 2011

Non directive Woodland Sessions

Well a few weeks in and the pupils are really enjoying the sessions, not without trial and tribulation, but all keen to continue and asking for longer.

The younger class have been really independently creative; fairy wands, fishing rods, a washing line and some environmental art...



There was lots of requests for help to tie the knots required but with only a little encouragement they all managed to tie their own. Cue a discussion amongst staff about the old tie a shoelace boards and books with the teacher thinking of making one for her classroom.

The older class have taken longer to feel settled, maybe struggling with looser boundaries than they are used to, maybe struggling with lack of direction, we've certainly had a couple of "I'm bored!" in that group. We've also had more segregation of the sexes, with one staff member wondering if it was due to the fact that the school is a feeder for single sex secondary schools and the pupils are starting to unconsciously disconnect from their opposite sex peers. It will be interesting to see if that continues. These signs are to warn the girls to keep out...



We've also had a lot of digging, which I've blogged about before, again it was instigated by boys and certainly they were the ones who were showing great excitement when  the shout of "Treasure!!" went up. Of course if you don't find any treasure maybe you can add some of your own to your hole...


But there were also real sparks of creativity, this beautiful bark bracelet...



...and this "awesome" ladder...


There has also been some great conversation amongst staff, who are finding it unsettling, and difficult, to be non directive. But the great thing is they really want to try and they are already appreciating the benefits for their pupils, and themselves. I have had times of great uncertainty and anxiety about whether this would work, and I'm still not sure whether the school will feel the benefits to their pupils is enough to warrant the time out of a busy curriculum. But with amazing experiences after only a few weeks I'm determined to keep trying...