Celebrating 10 years of Forest School
DSP is celebrating ten years of providing Forest School sessions to all children. As part of this celebration, the Scaip Project was formed to inspire and support more Nature Based Learning happening in schools across Ireland.
The goal of the project is for all children in Ireland to have the opportunity to lead their play and learning in nature as an integral part of their education and healthy development by providing resources and examples and training in this. Have a look at www.naturebasedlearning.ie
DSP Forest School sessions
Our sessions bring the children and the curriculum to the forest on Killiney Hill weekly for a block of time. The structure of each session allows the children to build connection: to themselves through sit spots, creative opportunities and reflection; to each other through games and teamwork; and to the world we live in through experiencing it with all their senses.
The aim is to foster resilient, independent, confident and creative learners using a flexible approach and natural resources.
The learning flows out of the sessions in so many ways. English, Geography, Science, Maths, SPHE, Music, Art, PE, Ethical Education and drama are all covered in the sessions and then the richness of the experience continues the engagement and motivation in the classroom and at home.
Have a look at the wonderful blog posts below and those by Liz McMahon with whom we collaborate to run these sessions. https://dlrcreativityintheclassroom.wordpress.com/
Forest School
Forest School Updates
Senior Infants – foxes and building dens and playing in the rain – resilience
A key aim of Forest School is to build resilience in our learners, helping them develop the confidence and adaptability needed to face challenges both in nature and in everyday life. Rainy days offer some of the richest opportunities for this kind of growth. When …
Senior Infants – Rope experiments and Hares
Noticing interesting things on the way to base camp. Scientific enquiries and experiments Making forms for being leverets in our sit spots
Senior Infants – Pine martens in the rain
The rain gave us lots of opportunities to have fun and learn. We tasted the rain. It was delicious! Sliding and jumping in puddles Climbing like a pine marten Rain tea and wild apple tea
Senior Infants – Playing and squirrels
Play is of great importance to children, not only for the enjoyment and fun it affords, but also for the powerful contribution it makes to their learning and development. Outdoor play in natural environments provides children with opportunities to release energy, express strong feelings and …
Senior Infants – wood mice and elderberries
Last term, this class had eight Forest School sessions. From the summer term through to autumn, we usually keep the children in the same groups, with the same leader and at the same base, making small adjustments if needed. By the time autumn arrives, it’s …
