Engaging reads for children, from Books go Walkabout

Month: September 2010

Forest Schools

treeThis really captured our imagination at at a time when schools are about to go through further changes.
Could be just the opportunity to see if a Forest School could be the way forward for children to experience the joy of experiential learning in an outdoor environment. It can be true release from the confines of the classroom which many young people find claustrophobic and not conducive to learning.

A recent tv programme has taken a group of boys to outside challenging environments and the success was amazing. Not just for the actual learning but for the desire to find out more.

The Forest Schools Website, full of information gives the following outline.

The philosophy of Forest Schools is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences

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‘Forest Schools is an innovative educational approach to outdoor learning. The philosophy of Forest Schools is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences. ‘

Forest Schools has demonstrated success with children of all ages who visit the same local woodlands on a regular basis and through play, who have the opportunity to learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks and most importantly to use their own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others. Forest School Programmes run throughout the year, for about 36 weeks, going to the woods in all weathers (except for high winds). Children use full sized tools, play, learn boundaries of behaviour; both physical and social, establish and grow in confidence, self-esteem and become self motivated.

Definitely worth checking out, we have just heard of a nursery who is starting on the scheme and would love to be there with them as they journey into the woods.
We have been involved in an organisation called Woodland Ways for some time and place great value on the inspiration and satisfaction from woods in both rural and urban areas.

Sue Martin -SmithMartin Partnership LLP – creating futures, enabling imaginations

The Ice Bear

Ice bJackie Morris’s latest book The Ice Bear is newly in print this month with Frances Lincoln.

When the great bear wakes in her ice den to find that one of her two cubs has been taken, she holds the second close, but she never forgets her lost child.’

Set in the pristine polar regions of the Arctic, this is a beautiful story with illustrations that are just amazingly powerful.
It brings emotions to the surface, and is a reminder of our responsibility to the world’s animals and wildlife. Polar bears, for instance, can show us the best ways to use natural resources, even in the wildest of places like the Arctic.

hareJackie also has exhibitions across the country. Imagine Gallery at Long Melford in Suffolk is currently holding an exhibition of illustrations including cheetahs and the contemplative White Hare.

In October Dolphin Booksellers are hosting and sponsoring an event in Cambridge with Jackie at Babraham C.of E. Primary School. Young children learning, creating and using illustrations and books to fire imaginations.

You can see Jackie’s books and illustrations, plus cards to buy on her website. It’s definitely worth a visit.

Sue Martin
Dolphin Booksellers – information and children’s books, always on line

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