School parents Simon and Sandra (whose son is in Mountain class) have generously offered the Dharma Primary School use of their large private area of woodland, just 15 minutes away.
The site is to be developed and used for the purpose of environmental learning activities and has already hosted two highly enjoyable overnight class camps. Mountain class will visit the site every Wednesday morning throughout the academic year, to undertake a variety of ‘Eco-play’ and Woodland Dharma learning activities, and Lotus class are visiting as part of their Native Americans topic. During class camps a large parachute is erected in the central area of the wood, as a focus and meeting place, and location for an open fire circle.
Caroline Woods, who teaches Mountain class, explains the value of Eco-Play: “Our activities at the woodland site are totally in tune with the ethos of the school, especially the basic tenet of interconnectedness and respect and compassion for all living things. We intend to use the woodland as a setting for some drama activities based upon texts connected to our half termly topic of ‘Crazy Creatures & Amazing Animals’. The woodlands are full of abundant wildlife (including badgers, foxes, rabbits and deer) which provide great opportunities for feeding the senses through deep listening and deep looking, be it all together in a puja circle, or in silent contemplation on a ‘mindful forest walk’, or individually, while either feeling different surfaces and textures, or closely looking into a certain area, noting all the life present in a small part of the forest. Even in free play sessions, the class benefit enormously from active yet mindful play in such a context, where they have to collaborate and turn take in order to achieve their desired goals safely and respectfully in the woodland terrain. There are great opportunities for observational drawing, colour matching, collage, eco-weaving (weaving with organic materials), 3D model work using natural materials etc. The woodland will also provide a natural context in which to notice, experience and discuss the changing seasons and weather, the science topics this term. It is a beautiful natural space for children, parents and staff to come together and share in collaborative activities for the mutual enrichment and enjoyment of the whole community.”
