If you are a very small bear and you want to look a long way the best thing to do is get up high in the air. The children were challenged to create a structure so that the bear could see into the distance. They could use branches and sticks they’d found in the woods. The highest tower would be the winner. Working in teams they tried all sorts of ideas out, stacking and sticking, layering and wedging in, how would you make your tower robust but tall? not as easy as it looks. But perseverance can pay off. The children who experienced the most set backs, the most self doubt and indeed nearly gave up, prevailed in the end and won the competition. Amazing what some commitment and determination can do.
Principle 3: Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
Article 2 – No one should be treated unfairly for any reason.
- Going in vertically first?
- Can we dig out some ground?
- A triangle is a good sturdy shape but can we get enough height?
- How would you add another level to this structure?
- Improvising tools just like primitive man.
- Some towers were quite beautiful in structure.
- Working horizontally can achieve good results.
- Sometimes simple is best.
- Then the measuring began.
- The last branch in this build was a stroke of genius that proved the winning move.
- The bear had to be able to balance there for a minimum of 10 seconds.
- Counting the seconds.
- This one may not have been the highest but everyone agreed that the bear felt happiest in his crown of sticks.