The children in Y1 shared some fantastic Forest School activities that they had completed at home. Both children proudly presented their creations during our Forest School zoom meeting today. Autumn challenged herself to completing both whole school challenges and then repotted her houseplants (with the help of her very cute cat) and enjoyed making giant shapes in the snow. Look at the fabulous Fern tree ice art and homemade bird feeder she created! Well done Autumn!

Kian decided to experiment with his ice art by using lots of different winter materials and different sized and shaped containers. Look at all of his beautiful winter wonderland creations! Super learning Kian, keep it up!

Please send your Forest school learning to forestschool@allertonceprimary.com

On a Friday afternoon I am fortunate enough to do a Forest School session with one of our year 2 bubbles. They have really enjoyed learning about birds and are becoming passionate birdwatchers!

Last week we went out into the school grounds and tried to identify the birds around us by listening to their birdsongs. After learning to recognise some new bird calls, we crept around the edges of the school field, hoping to spot them in the surrounding trees and bushes. We spotted so many different birds!

The children then had a go at sketching the birds they had seen before presenting their drawings to their friends.

As usual we ended our session with one of our favourite team games ‘The Echo Game’, which involves lots of movement to keep us warm!

The children in key stage one have shared some fabulous Forest school activities with us that have been completed at home. Kian and Autumn shared their completed spotter sheets and many children have told me about the different birds who visited their gardens over the weekend.

Ellie in Y2 drew a map of her journey which was inspired by a map she saw by Grayson Perry at the British Museum!

Ellie also extended her learning by making a bug using some of the catkins, moss and twigs that she collected on her walks, how fantastic! We love your creativity Ellie!

Here are some of the interesting items I found on my wonderful winter hunt. Look at that unusual fungus I spotted growing on a tree next to the Meanwood Beck. I googled it and it seems to be the species of fungus called Tremella Foliacea. Common names for it include Jelly leaf, Leafy brain and Brown witch’s butter! It’s apparently thought to be edible, but I don’t think it looks very appetising!

We really enjoy seeing what fun outdoor learning you have got up to at home! Please send your pictures and videos for us to share at forestschool@allertonceprimary.com

We are forecast snow and freezing temperatures again this week. Could you add some ice art to your wintery garden or balcony?

The instructions suggest putting it into the freezer, but I wonder whether we could experiment by putting it outside overnight? The weekend might be a good time for this we are due to experience overnight temperatures well below freezing.

How could you personalise your ice art? How about adding some fresh herbs or wild berries for the bids to eat once it has started to melt? You could experiment with different sized and shaped containers. Which works best and why? What other pretty winter objects could you add?
Please send pictures of your creations to: forestschool@allertonceprimary.com

How many of you took part in the Big Garden Birdwatch over the weekend? Please share your observations with us!

Last week my Forest school groups enjoyed learning about different birds and identifying them by their appearance and bird calls. Whilst sitting out in the school quiet garden, we closed our eyes and could hear up to six different birdsongs and calls at once in the afternoon. We noticed lots of larger birds such as magpies, crows, woodpigeons and common gulls out on our school field.

Now that we know a little more about our feathered friends, why not invite more birds into your garden by hanging out food for them. Here is an example of a bird feeder you can create at home:

Please send your pictures and comments for us to share at: forestschool@allertonceprimary.com

Well done to Jack, Emily and family for their positive efforts to counter dog fouling in the local area. What great, positive and helpful thing to do!
Let us know if anyone else is taking part in any fab community action!

RS have been very busy making a faboulous den using different sized and shaped branches. The children watched the tree surgeons prune the trees at the orchard and decided they wanted to recycle the branches by making a den. Our great gardener Jack saved the branches and once the tree surgeons had finished, RS got to work on building their den. They worked as a team deciding where the branches would go, how they would build it and what it would look like. When they had finished they were very proud of their work.

Well done RS.