Duke's Forest School

The Y1/2s have had a go at “happy-zooma”. This is simply hitting the leaves between sheets of paper to release the pigment fro the cells in the plant. Some of the results have been stunning,

Some of the children have been looking for newts over the last fewest weeks and have found several.

For some children it was a massive challenge to hold the newt on their hands. A number of children really wanted to hold one but were frightened to, but the smile on their face when they did was fantastic.

Y1/2 had communication from Earth this week, with a suggestion to help deal with their life on that far distant planet. The suggestion was that they should create a fortress of solitude; a special place where they can retreat to and be reminded of life back on earth.

The ideas were wonderful and their spaces had lots to remind them of family, friends and home. All the things they would miss.

The early years had the challenge to transform boring string into interesting string using the things they find in the woods. I think they did a great job.

The Y1/2 children have been creating their own aliens this week in the hope that when space command back on Earth see the pictures they will launch a rescue mission. The children had to create an alien that would be welcome back on Earth. Their imagination was incredible from things that would swim in the sea, to others that eat rubbish and clean up as they go

We had a lot of rain this week with reception, so we embraced the weather and the children built a shelter (with a bit of help) to keep them dry. Even with a bucket of rain there all stayed dry.

The reception classes enjoyed toasting their own toffee apples this week. They were all wonderful around the fire and enjoyed eating them even more!

Reception class built themselves stick houses this week. They were big enough for all their group to fit inside. At the same time some children had a go on the slack line and felt very proud when they managed no hands for a short time.

Years 1 and 2 discovered finding food, especially protein would be difficult on this far distant rock. The children searched everywhere to find bugs, grubs, worms, slugs and spiders to eat. Most were overjoyed (but some were disappointed) when they had to have marshmallows and chocolate biscuits instead.

The Y1/2 classes have been speeding through space for the last week and out of nowhere the engines of their rockets broke. Their rocket with them in it have plummeted down onto a strange planet fortunately they crashed into a small ravine that happened to have its own atmosphere. The children have had the challenge of creating a shelter that will collect water to drink.

Due to good teamwork and discussion they all managed to collect water, meaning they now know they will survive for at least the next 5 weeks.