Homerswood
Primary and Nursery School
‘A pathway to grow, be curious and discover’
Outdoor Learning
Outdoor Learning operates on the principle that children of all ages can benefit greatly from the learning opportunities inherently present in an outdoor environment.
The outdoor learning that takes place promotes the social, personal, physical and emotional development of the children. They learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks and more importantly to use their own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others. The children develop a respect for the environment and living things.
The children will also cover the core and foundation subjects but in an outdoor setting. This approach fosters resilient, confident, independent and creative learners. Above all the learning is enjoyable and fun.
Spring 2022
This term our outdoor learning focus will be on Science and Geography.
For Science, Reception and Year 1 will focus on minibeasts and materials, Year 2: Building houses and bridges, Year 3: Rocks and fossils, Year 4: Different states and Year 5: Insulators and conductors.
For Geography, Reception and Year 1 will focus on human and physical features and simple fieldwork, Year 2: Maps and trails, Year 3: Symbols and keys, Year 4: Countries and cities, Year 4: Orientating a map.
As always please check in to the website for updates and photographs.
Autumn 2021
We are looking forward to our outdoor learning this term. Year 2 have already helped to make a bug hotel. We have lots of fun and exciting things planned so check in to the website for updates and photographs.
Bug Hotel
Homerswood Outdoor Charter
Reception have been learning all about snails as part of their topic on minibeasts.
The children have been using natural resources to create a piece of Big Art.
Year 1 made their own looms and experimented with weaving natural materials such as feathers, leaves and flowers.
Reception boy and girl collages.
Year 1 have decorated clay tiles with a variety of natural resources.
Year 2 have created some amazing outdoor Art based on the artist Andy Goldsworthy.
Year 4 have been looking at the work of Max Ernst and the technique of frottage. Look at their amazing rubbings.
Year 5 have been creating leaf patterns using water colour pencils. Look at their wonderful designs.
Easter Art and leaf patterns
This half term we have been focusing on Geography. The children have been following rope trails, shape trails and arrow trails.
Year 5 Country and Capital City trails.
Reception used a map of the Outdoor area to find treasure.
Year 3 have been learning about worms. They made their own wormeries. They had to remember to keep moist and covered so the worms are shielded from the light.
The children at Homerswood have been participating in the Big Schools' Bird Watch 2022. Year 1 have been making some Eco friendly bird feeders.
Take part in your own Birdwatch. Collect a survey sheet from Mrs. Pumilia, find a quiet place to watch the birds and record what you see. Good luck!
Mr. Scully found an amazing green bug in the tree. Can you find out the name of the bug? Let Mrs Pumilia know and if you are correct you can win a prize.
Year 5 have been investigating absorbent materials.
Interesting finds. Freddie found this amazing wasp nest in his Nan's loft.
Year 3 have made symmetrical butterflies.
The children have been learning about the benefits and dangers of fires. They toasted marshmallows and made s'mores.
Year 3 made square frames and used them to create symmetrical patterns with natural resources.
Reception have been making wooden presses. They placed a small wooden object of their choice between two round discs and secured with an elastic band. Look at their great results.
Year 3 have been investigating symmetrical shapes. They constructed various 2-shapes and used coloured wool to identify any lines of symmetry they could find.
Year 5 have created their own special outdoor places based on the book Peter's Place by Sally Grindley and Michael Foreman. Year 2 have made magic wands and clay animal prints.
Year 1 made leaf people based on the story ' Leaf man ' By Lois Ehlert.
Year 3 have been creating their own tree characters and Year 4 have been making head dresses based on "The rabbit who stole the fire" by Joanna Troughton.
We have been busy designing our own scavenger hunts and looking for animal signs and activity. Check out our Outdoor Learning display at the front of the school.
Year 2 went on the hunt for Sneezy Dragon. They followed the trail of coloured snot that he had left behind. But he was very elusive. The children decided he was nocturnal and was asleep during the day and active at night. Here are some pictures of what they thought he looked like.
Year 3 investigated different smells. They made their own smelly magic potions.
Year 1 had a visit from Alan, the 3 legged hedgehog, from Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog Sanctuary. They learnt about the dangers facing hedgehogs and how to protect them. how to protect hedgehogs
Big Art inspired by Andy Goldsworthy
Big Art during our Forest School lesson with Year One.
Tree identification.
2018 Forest School Activities. The children have participated in lots of fun and enjoyable activities. These include den building, assembling obstacle courses, investigating minibeasts and making a camp fire.
River Schools-Pond dipping- Kick sampling.
Key Stage 2 Forest Schools at Panshanger Park
Year 1 made picture frames and created their own pictures using
natural resources such as leaves, berries, flowers and seeds.
