22
|
AUTUMN
/
EARLY WINTER
2015
SUMM
6
Matt Simpson engages with
Snowy Owl Forest School
students.
ESCARPMENT
®
feature
The class returned this spring to revisit their
observations as the seasons change. They
releaseda frog theyhad raised in theclass-
room froma tadpole; Audrey explains the
excited students watched intensely as the
frog stretched it’s new legs and flourished
in itsnatural habitat. “The studentswereen-
gaged, interested, calm, and learningand
I was finding myself looking for creative
ways to teachmore of the curriculum out-
doors,”explainsAudrey. To further pursue
teaching outside Audrey created an out-
door classroomat BVCSwitha flowergar-
den, sand table, chalkboard, paintingand
weaving easels, and a table with stump
seating.
In today’sworldofabundant technological
devices,ofmanicuredplaygroundsandair-
conditionedbuildings, Forest School ideol-
ogy is literally a breath of fresh air.
Undoubtedly these progressive educators
havecreatedavaluableopportunity to fos-
ter inchildrennot onlya loveofournatural
habitat,butalsoasenseofbelongingwithin
it. Spending days outside also gives chil-
dren thechance to learn throughexploring
at their own pace. By witnessing the
changes that take place in an ecosystem
over time, Forest School students come to
experience the seasons in away that’s far
moredifficult todowithinan urbanatmos-
phere.
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For more information on Red Tail Hawks and Snowy Owls
Forest Schools go to
{
Our program is notmeant to be in competitionwith
other schools or academic programs. It’smeant to bea
supplement that offers students what theyneed to succeed
when they return to the classroom or home school. Many
of the students come tous ona part time basis.
Conventional schools have beenagreat support of ours.”
~ Shannon Foley | Founder, Red Tail Hawks Forest School
