Beautiful spring !

Forest Schools in Australia

A bit of media attention to the growing interest in children and nature as a way of learning for life

http://readnow.mediamonitors.com.au/articlepresenter.aspx?GUID=bafb590d-504a-4ff4-955f-3b894c435a2f&serID=9970&ArticleID=152355676&output=pdfsearchable

representing learning using natural objects

These images show our representations of what we had learned the previous day. Using natural objects to represent our experiences consolidated our learning and was part of our reflective process.

A neat idea with leaves and seeds

Source: fun-stuff-to-do.com via Sherry on Pinterest

Homes for our little friends in the bush...

Creating homes for imaginary friends in the bush required problem solving, collaboration, design, creativity, interaction and sharing materials, we created a small village for our friends to live, including a communal fire place, an animal shelter, a sleeping place, a hammock and a cubby.

Walliabup (Bibra Lake) Connections project

Some images from our pilot last year based at Cockburn Wetlands, we had funding for a bus to collect the children (K-2) from a nearby school once a week for a term. We also had funding to pay an elder to come and share with the children, he taught them so many important things and introduced alot of concepts through games that the children really enjoyed. 

collecting precious finds in baskets was a favourite activity

Going hunting for Yonga (the kangaroo)

Materials to create, represent and design

Looking through the beams of the bird hide

Opportunities to document experiences through drawing and painting were encouraged

Notably, the school reported an overall increase in school attendance of 40%

taking school outside

I recently completed a one week intensive "Bush Schools Practitioner" course. We learned so much about taking children into the outdoors and all the possibilities that unfold when we step outside to wild places and enable children to connect with each other and nature. One great trick I learned was how to light a fire without a match!