Working Woodlands- Traditional Woodland Craft

Pupils will discover how important forests are globally and locally. There will be a short classroom session with artifacts and pictures to show some of the very diverse products people make from wood and what products we harvest from forested areas of the world. We will look at a globe and identify biomes and vegetation belts and then head out into our native mixed deciduous woods to explore first hand.

Pupils will focus their senses on collecting and experiencing the textures, colours and sounds around them. They can compare their findings from our woodland with their expectations of what would be found in a rain-forest.

Continuing outside pupils will go on a discovery trail to collect and sort rain-forest fact cards to help them to consider how important the world’s forests really are. The concerns they will look at range from increase in carbon dioxide levels to habitat loss and the silting up of rivers and include more immediate human concerns such as looking after tribal peoples rights.

In the afternoon with plenty of hands on crafts pupils can have a go at shingling a miniature roof in small groups, make their own elder beads and weave a section of willow hurdle. Pupils will learn that we need to give value to our woodlands in Britain and find wise uses for our native trees that enhance rather than destroy our forests.

Most suitable to years 4, 5 and 6. There are lots of examples on site of traditional woodland crafts, there are experts to meet and a chance to find out how our woodland is managed for biodiversity on this popular site.

​(Allow a whole day in the woods) 

Back at school

          Post visit studies might include:

• Locating woodland areas near your school to explore.
• Setting up a Forest School as part of your school programme. See our Forest School Leader Training courses.
• Researching global rainforests. Finding out about what products and foods come from rainforests.
• Use this great resource to find out mroe about the importance of trees: ​https://www.52climateactions.com/trees

Curriculum Links:

• Human and Physical Geography KS2 - Physical geography, including: climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, and the water cycle.
• Human and Physical Geography KS2 - Human geography, including: types of settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water.
• Design and Technology KS2 - Investigate and analyse a range of existing products.
• Design and Technology KS2 - Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups.
• Design and Technology KS2 - Apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures.