forest school tools

Over the last 2 weeks, we've been trying out some tools as a way to engage with our woodland setting. We got quite creative!

But first: a playground in the woods! 

A teeter totter!

A riding horse!

And a low ropes course!

Getting a sawhorse ready...

for some serious sawing.

Look! More turkey tracks! 

Whose tracks are these?

Looking up on a beautiful, sunny afternoon:

Looking down on our Wonderful Winter Woodland Workshop of Elves at work sawing, drilling, and creating:

Creativity abounds! Look at what we made as gifts and as decorations:

A happy tree:

We went for a hike in the woods:

And found a group of happy turtles:

Who put this corn cob there?

Look at all of the beech trees in the background here! We learned that beech trees are one of the only North American trees that squirrels can't climb because of their smooth bark. We wondered why beech trees hold onto their leaves for so long. Why don't they let go when the other deciduous trees to? We talked about the name beech, and how it sounds like beach, and how that reminds us of summer. Maybe beech trees want to hold onto summer for as long as they can.

We each found a spot for some quiet time in the woods. It was so still and silent.

Going "ice fishing":

One more week, Wild Turkeys! We'll see what there is to explore next week.