Eco School and Forest School
Eco School 2008 - 2009
Saltoun Primary School currently has a Silver Eco Schools Flag but this year….. we’re going for Green!
Every term our Eco Schools Comittee meets to discuss and monitor their action plan.
Our Eco Notice Board in school is regularly updated by the comittee and they are also going to put important information onto our new Eco Schools web page!
Forest Schools October 2007 - March 2008
Wednesday 10th October 2007
Yesterday was the first day of our Forest Schools Programme. We coppiced our willow igloo. Then we dragged the willow along to Strawberry Woods where we made willow sculptures. We learned how to tie knots with rope. This is a great survival technique and will help us to build structures in the future.
Wednesday 24th October By Ewan and Blair
Yesterday P4/5/6/7 went to Strawberry Woods. We had to carry planks of wood into the forest to sit on. When we reached our base some went to find logs while the others made seats. Afterwards we were given an identification sheet on a clipboard and went off to identify different trees and leaves. After we came back and our forest leader taught us how to tie a Clove Hitch. When we finished, Karin told us we had to find logs to make a horse. We all set off in groups to find the things we needed. When the whistle was blown we all came back and started the activity. The way to make a horse is get two logs and put them in a cross shape and then tie both of them together (you might want to start with a clove hitch around one log). Once you have done that make sure you secure the bottom of the logs with stones and little sticks. Doing all of this will help improve on all of our outdoor skills.
Wednesday 31st October By Hannah, Emma and Ashley
This time when P4/5/6/7 went to the woods we took planks of wood there. We arranged the planks of wood in the same shape as last time. The group Emma was in made a good strong horse. Emma and Ashley used the axe first to make a pointed end of the stick. When we had a pointed edge on each stick we used a mallet to wack them into place. The other group were scavenging. We were in the same groups as last time. We had a plastic bag and were to collect plants, mud, berries, leaves and any thing we could find to make a picture. We made a poster. It was fun! Then we were told we were going to have a fire. We were going to be making Twizzlers like bread and cook them on a fire. When it was time to eat the twizzlers, they were delicious! Yum! 
Wednesday 7th November By Blair Ross
As we trudged all of our things out of the school and into the playground we couldn’t wait for another exciting day of Forest Schools. We all had to carry something up to our base camp. When we were set and ready to go we played a game. After that we split into groups. Then we had to make a poem about a tree our group liked. Then we got to light the fire by using kindling and paper. After Karin asked if we wanted tea or blackcurrant. Most people chose blackcurrant. Once again we split into groups to find all the things a plant would need. Then we had to do a sweep search of the path to find one of our instructors keys. When we finished we all came back to school. Everyone had great fun and can’t wait to do more.
Wednesday 21st November By Blair and Ewan
Today we had to walk all the way up to the forest in the pouring rain. When we arrived we couldn’t sit down so we had to put up a tarpaulin. A tarpaulin is a water-proof sheet made of plastic or cotton. We tied it to some trees using a bowline knot and it stayed for ages. Once we were settled two groups went off to do some activites in the woods while the other two groups stayed and made gazoos. The way to make a gazoo is to get a little piece of hazel or ash and cut it in half and then you whittle it until you see a little slit in the middle. You have to take care and it takes a while. After all the groups were together again we had a snack and hot drink. It was difficult to take the tarpaulin down but we managed then we shook all the water off which was really fun. After we all collected our things and headed back to school.
We learned a lot of things today, especially how to put up a tarpaulin! Everyone enjoyed today and can’t wait to do lots more. 
Wednesday 28th November 2007 by Hannah, Emma and Ashley
This week we went up to the woods and set up base. We were told that we were making dens as todays activity. We were put into groups. Some of us were in the green group and the other team were the blue group. We had our faces painted to tell what team we were in. Then we went to two different places and we made the dens.
I was in the green team. We found a good place to make the den. We collected sticks, leaves, fern and big chunks of wood. We all went inside the den to see if we could all fit in which, we and there was still room for more people.
The blue team took a long time to find a place were they liked. Then finally they found a base. They found big logs to support their shelter. Karin called us back to see base and we went with her to see if the dens were wind and water proof. The green groups was and the blue groups wasn’t.
Another great day in the woods we all said!
Wednesday 5th December by Blair and Ewan
Today P4-7 went off into the woods once again. When we reached the base we put all the equipment down and had our first activity - minibeasts. Two groups managed to find a spiders egg- sack and lots of other minibeasts like woodlice, centipedes and milipedes. When we finished we came back and acted out our favourite minibeasts movement. Afterwards we made twizzlers by wrapping dough around a willow branch and roasting them on an open fire. When they were hard we poured honey on them to make them taste nice. At the end we played camoflage. The aim of the game is to hide without being caught by the catcher. Once we had finished the game we took all the equipment back to school.
Wednesday 6th February by Ashley, Emma and Hannah
As we walked into Strawberry woods we carried planks to base. As we made base Karin told us that we would be making music with sticks. We were really excited . We went round the woods and collected materials which would make a good sound.
When we got back we split up into groups and we made a start making our instruments. Some of us made drums , guitars , chimes etc.
Karin called us back for a hot drink and snack. We had to keep a beat on our instruments. Each beat had the name of an animal. We were told a combination and clapped out the rhythm on it. At the end Karin contucted an orchestra of instruments.
It was another great day at Forest schools.
Wednesday 27th of February by Ewan and Blair
We got all our gear as usual then set off with the heavy planks up into the woods where we made base. After everyone was silent we all introduced ourselves to some very special people then Karin told us we would be continuing with our dens. She also told us the health and saftey rules. An MSP named Robin Harper came and he was wearing a rainbow scarf. Today we were going to try and finish are dens in our groups. Everyone had lots of fun making our dens better. We all got tools and string for our dens. Angus a primary 6 boy made a little snoozing place which was really relaxing. Karin blew the whistle which ment everybody was to come back. We gathered everything and played a game to finish off another great session.
Wednesday the 12th 2008 by Ewan and Blair
Today was our last session of Forest Schools and we were all really sad. We got the things as usual like the gear, planks etc. We walked all the way to the base where we meet some parents. Karin talked over the health and saftey rules. Once that was finished we went to see the dens which everybody made then everyone including the parents went to see the puppet shows we had prepared. They thought they were really good. Afterwards we came back and made Twizzlers which were really nice. Then we got ready to play a game of camouflage. Afterwards we went back to school. Everybody has really enjoyed Forest Schools and maybe one day we can do it again.
Comments»
Thanks for letting me visit and help out at your Forest School last week.Your bread on a stick looked delicious. I was really impressed by all the skills you all used to build the horses, gather wood, light the fire, make the bread and do the artwork. Alsoyou all worked so well together in your teams to complete your tasks. I look forward to visiting you again and reading about your Forest School on the webpage.
I have put a few images up at my site at http://edubuzz.org/blogs/billstephen
Let me know what you think of the Forest School.
Hi
Hearing about what you are doing in forest school, and inspired by the Old Oak poem I remembered this one I read recently by Karen I. Shragg - hope you like it.
Think Like a Tree
Soak up the sun
Affirm life’s magic
Be graceful in the wind
Stand tall after a storm
Feel refreshed after it rains
Grow strong without notice
Be prepared for each season
Provide shelter to strangers
Hang tough through a cold spell
Emerge renewed at the first signs of spring
Stay deeply rooted while reaching for the sky
Be still long enough to
hear your own leaves rustling.
Steven Wray
Chairperson East Lothian Forest School Group
Hi,
just reading everything you all write in connection to your forest school experience and I am amazed at how much you all remember!
I am glad you all enjoy it.
Sounds like you are all having a great time - even when it is pouring with rain.
To all Saltoun Primary pupils
I was delighted to read about all the exciting things that you are doing at your Forest schoool. I am doing forest school work with nursery aged children in South Edinburgh, and they love it too. We have a super wood that we catch the bus to, it’s on the Gilmerton Road.
I will continue to read your blog with interest.
Hi
Well done for finding all those insects in the winter time - especiallly the spider egg sac. Did you take a picture or do a drawing - it would be good to see on your blog.
Wikipedia has loads of information on spider wikipedia.org
Did you scoff all the twizzlers in the woods? Didn’t see any of them at home - can you put the recipe up on the website?
Merry Christmas Saltoun Forest School. I have posted your version of Jingle Bells here; http://edubuzz.org/blogs/billstephen/.
I will post the other podcast soon.
Have a great holiday.
Happy New Year East Saltoun primary!
Wow - what fantastic things your learning about, like Karin says its amazing how much you remember from your days out in the woods.
I work with schools in Edinburgh and its great to hear that more and more youngsters like yourselves are working hard at Forest Schools and appreciating your local woodlands. I hope you have many more fun, memorable times in 2008.
Recipe for twizzlers;
flour/water/1 tsp olive oil and pinch of salt. That is it!!
You could add herbs etc
Look at you all wet under that shelter
I thought it was too keep you dry, but never mind.
Hiiyaah too all of Saltoun Primary
you guys rock
lol >.<
Hi
Just to let you know I have had a message from Fiona at Media Education to say that the DVD of your Forest School is nearly finished. There willbe one copy for each pupil to take home, and one for the school to keep. It will be with you before the end of term so the P7 pupils will have it before they leave.
Regards
Steven Wray