How our nation’s forests can be a wonderful learning experience
In th March 2023 guest blog, Jodie Greene, Education and Arts Marketing Officer at Forestry England looked at the important educational potential of forests in England, with suggestions for practical outdoor learning.
The benefits of being outside are well-known; reconnecting with nature, relieving stress, building relationships and improving our well-being. It is now more important than ever to get outside, especially for children, with their mental and emotional health being a priority for education settings. Forestry England encourages school visits to all the nation’s forests for an engaging and inspiring experience.
The rewards of a school trip are so much more than the topic itself. They are a wonderful way for children to reap all the benefits of being outdoors and learn lots too. Taking part in real hands-on activities is great for encouraging problem solving, communication skills, and building friendships.
There are so many different learning opportunities to be had in the forest. Children can learn about forestry management, sustainability, and how important our forests are for our ecosystems and carbon cycle. They can also learn about forestry careers - perfect for all your budding tree scientists, foresters and wildlife rangers.
Taking children on a school trip can be difficult. Schools face time and financial constraints heightened by the current climate. A viable way for schools to take classes to a forest is to go on a self-guided visit. This might fill many teachers with dread as going on a trip without a guide can be rather daunting. However, we have the perfect tool to help. Our brand-new resource, Ranger in a Bag is suitable for preschool and primary aged children with clear learning outcomes and links to the curriculum. There are five to choose from and they have everything you need for a fun-filled forest adventure, all zipped up in a handy backpack.
To extend the life of a trip and bring the magic back to the classroom, the free, downloadable learning resources are the perfect way to do it. There are resources linked to our popular trails, such as Superworm, which can be used back in the classroom to harness that excitement post trip. There are also separate lesson plans and resources linked to the curriculum that can be used in any outdoor space.
We know lots of children learn about the deforestation of tropical rainforests overseas. The KS2 Temperate Forests lesson plan helps students to compare tropical rainforests with forests closer to home and discover how they can be managed sustainably. This resource guides you through simple experiments to look at the plant diversity of a local forest and how to make observations on the structure, or layers, of a forest, including seasonal differences.
We also have resources that look at the impact of climate change on our forests and the role that trees play in the carbon cycle. These can be used in the school grounds. Our KS3 Cutting carbon emissions resource contains an activity on calculating how much carbon has been captured by a tree. It challenges students to look at their school’s carbon footprint and make a pledge to make a difference and join the fight against climate change.
If you are unable to get outside, there are resources for use in class. The Geography lesson plan can be utilised before, during and after a trip- the perfect way to make a teacher’s life that bit easier.
The nation’s forests are all over England and we have something for everyone, whatever the age or ability. Whether you wish to book a session with one of our learning partners, or organise your own visit, we can ensure an inspiring trip of adventure and discovery awaits you! For more information, please visit www.forestryengland.uk/learning
About the author: Jodie Greene
Jodie Greene is Education and Arts Marketing Officer, Forestry England