Author: jennyf74

We had a chilly start to the new block on Thursday.  Collecting sticks, looking at badger sets, feeling cones and looking at what was around us.  This was a chance for those who had not been before to explore the area and start to look at what was around us.

We looked at Stanley’s Stick and tried to imagine different uses for our sticks, some used wool and string.  A bow saw was used to cut larger branches and some made a name cookie.

There was lots of climbing and exploring, it was lovely to see more confidence and independance developing.  At the end of the session we went round and planned the possibilities for next time.

A great start to the Winter term with lots of excitement and fun to come and a reminder to dress warmly as the weather gets cooler, even a sunny start can quickly cool down.

My calendar isn’t updating at the moment. Please note the following session dates:

Autumn Volunteering Session Saturday 28th October.

Home Education Meeting Monday 30th 10am-12pm.

New Thursday morning 6 week block starting up 2nd November – 9.45-12pm.

New Friday afternoon 6 week block starting up 3rd November – 12.30-2.30pm.

Please message me if you can make the Volunteering session (if only for half an hour).

If you have not already done so please contact me if you would like to book onto either of the new 6 week blocks.   Payment can either be paid upfront for the block (which makes it easier for me) or as you go.

Please message me with any queries. 🌿🍃🌿

This week we have had the chance to play with leaves …. looking at leaves, pegging some on a line, lots of magnifying glass interest looking at bark and tree sap, some liked the buckets and spades and a treasure/ code/ secret game was made up, others had the chance to make elder pencils, leaf kebabs and play with a leaf parachute.  We managed to squeeze in a game of hide and seek, story and build a den 🌿🍂🌿

We have already had a chance to look at wood – hard and soft – through our tool play and we have already looked at reptile mats to see what may be lurking underneath them (slugs, snails, grubs and worms).

Today we played with woodland animals who we may find on our site and also look    at the trees around us.

I had forgotten the bubble wands so looked around us and found Willow to make circles – held together by clay – and elder to make bubble pipes.

Most had the chance to use the loppers to cut their elder and we used a tent peg to push out the soft pilth.

Most were super keen to play a water pistol tracking game which was fun and helped explore the use of the senses.  We all got quite wet!

Last week we enjoyed investigating the reptile mats which we had previously put down with Sustrans.  The mats are designed to provide a warm spot for any cold blooded friends who may be living nearby.  There were 10 mats in all and it was very exciting to look underneath them.  They may have heard us coming though as we only found slugs, snails and a worm under the mats.  We did also see some lovely caterpillars, a Red Admiral butterfly and a large hornet.

This week we have been making apple crumble parcels for our snack.  The cooking apples came from my garden and were thinly sliced before putting on tin foil.  In a bag I mixed up sultanas, mixed spice and brown sugar which the children could put on their slices topped, if they wished, with a spoonful of crumble.

The parcels were placed on hot embers for 5-10 minutes or until the apple softened.

Last week we had a go at using a simple bread dough recipe and frying our dough patties in a pan with oil.

I found the recipe on-line – for 3-4 decent sized flatbreads use 1 mug of plain flour though it works with self-raising flour.  Add a pinch of salt and a glug of oil (1/2 – 1 tablespoon) and add enough water to make the dough.

Flatten with hands or use a rolling pin, heat up the oil in the pan and cook a couple of minutes either side until golden brown.

Delicious with chocolate spread.

Recently we have enjoyed using berries not only to make paint but to make some scrummy hazel leaf parcels.  Hazel is a non toxic leaf – if you are making this check the leaves you use.

The leaves (nice and green) were picked and washed before berries were popped on.  A spoonful, or two, of crumble was sprinkled on top and the leaf rolled up and secured with a toothpick – a stick will work but with small hands I went for toothpicks.

The parcels can be cooked on the embers or on the grill turning frequently until looking crispy – be careful the fruit may be hot.