Hammocks
Today we were learning how to put up hammocks with tree straps and carabiners. This will be really helpful when they are assistants for the 1st class and Junior Infants.
There’s lots of problem solving and awareness building in this activity. They needed to:
- Choose two trees that are far enough apart but not too far. The straps, though adjustable, are a certain length.
- Choose two trees/branches that are living and strong. Check that there are leaves at the end and the wood isn’t rotten.
- Look up for any overhanging branches that might fall.
- Look down for things that might hurt if someone fell out of the hammock. e.g rocks, brambles, glass etc and clear away if needed.
- Put up the hammock at the right height.
- Test the hammock with your hands.
- Learn how to model getting in safely.
- Learn how to put it away in the stuff sack.
Tarps
The children were also given a tarp with straps to try to figure out how to put up a shelter. We were so impressed with the perseverance and problem solving skills that the children demonstrated. Though they found it hard, they kept going through trial and improvement, communication and being willing to give things a go.
Games
We also are deepening our understanding of the nature games we play in Forest School. We are remembering how to play them, learning how to explain the rules and figuring out what rules will work best for younger children. We are learning more about the animals that are in the games.
This week, we played Eagle Eye which is a great ‘hide and seek’ style game. It increases the observational skills of students and is a lot of fun at the same time. They learn that eagles make nests in high places called eyries. And that they have excellent vision. We did an exercise to understand our peripheral vision. Hold your thumbs up in front of you and focus on an object straight ahead of you in the distance. Move both your thumbs wider whilst keeping your gaze on that object ahead of you. Stop moving your thumbs when you can’t see them anymore. Human vision gives us about 180 degrees of vision. Eagles can see 340 degrees. And they can see 4 to 8 times further too. We played two different versions of the game and decided on the one that would work best for younger children.
