Homerswood
Primary and Nursery School
‘A pathway to grow, be curious and discover’
Outdoor Learning
Outdoor Learning at Homerswood
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.
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Recommended Reading
Resources
Autumn Term 2022
Welcome back!
We have lots of fun and exciting things planned for our Outdoor Learning sessions this term. The focus for the Autumn Term will be predominantly on English and Maths.
English based activities include descriptive writing, poetry, creating woodland characters and participating in and designing scavenger hunts. Maths activities will be based around shape, angles, symmetry and measurement.
The children will be creating Outdoor Learning Charters. Please encourage your children to familiarise themselves with our outdoor guidelines.
" 123, where are you? " "123, we're here " The children then return to base safely.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Do not eat anything or place your hands in your mouth. Always wash your hands thoroughly on returning to class.
Respect nature.
Each week we will learn a new word of the week and this will be displayed in the Outdoor Learning area. Below are the Autumn Term words. You can help by discussing the meaning of the words with your children.
nocturnal, predator, prey, camouflage, habitat, deciduous, diurnal, hibernation, evergreen and migration.
Please check the website for learning across the school from Reception to Year 6 and regular updates and photographs.
Thank you for your support.
Spring Term 2023
The focus for the Spring Term will be Science and Geography. Science based activities include making bird feeders, constructing wormeries, investigating waterproof materials and making elf houses. We will also be conducting a bird watch, making fires and learning about fire safety. Geography activities focus on looking at the differences between human and physical Geography, map reading and orienteering.
Below are the Spring words. You can help by discussing the meaning of the words with your children.
herbivore, omnivore, carnivore, flora, fauna, organic, decomposer, consumer, producer, compass and navigation.
Encourage your children to bring in interesting finds or photographs.
Outdoor Learning Easter Art.
The children in Year 3 have made a wormery. They learnt about the conditions worms need to live and how to care for their well being.
Year 2 have been investigating waterproof materials. They will choose the best material and use it when they design and construct their own elf houses.
The children have been making mini fires and learning about fire safety.
Christmas Art. The children used leaves and twigs to make these great Christmas trees. Each one is unique.
Year 6 have been working on coordinates during their Outdoor Learning session.
The children have been focusing on Maths activities during their Outdoor Learning sessions this week.
Year 4 have been learning about the legend of ' The Beast of Bodmin Moor.' They created their own beasts.
Year 2 have been investigating animal tracks. They created their own tracks in clay.
Year 3 have been investigating different textures. They made their own sensory sticks.
Year 4 have created their own mystery stories based on different clues and objects they found hidden in the Outdoor Learning area.
The children designed their own Outdoor Learning charters. These have now been displayed in our Outdoor Learning area. Well done to all the children who participated.
Take a look at all the great learning we have been doing this week, from scavenger hunts to Year 2's quest to find Sneezy Dragon.
Year 3 created some amazing tree characters. Take a look!
Bug Hotel
Homerswood Outdoor Charter
The children have been designing their own obstacle courses using natural resources.
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.
