The area where the group is working Sean's Plot, Bowkerstead in Grizedale Forest. It is part of a Woodland management program where the students learn how to thin out saplings in order to give the good specimens a better chance to grow and produce good trees to harvest.
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Two Conservers and an Explorer
The area where the group is working Sean's Plot, Bowkerstead in Grizedale Forest. It is part of a Woodland management program where the students learn how to thin out saplings in order to give the good specimens a better chance to grow and produce good trees to harvest.
Developing the roles of the candidates
Tuesday 29th September 2009
A day worth noting for the Tuesday group Conserver/Explorer candidates as it was a day that they begun to act as mentors and supervisors for other candidates. The Conserver students tried these skills on the two Explorer students and vice -versa. The results were very interesting.
'He just doesn't listen to what I've said!'
'They think I know everything and don't give me time to think about it!'
'I think we need to explain things more slowly.'
'I know what I'm trying to say but it seems to come out differently.'
These are just some of the comments that the student's came out with this morning. I decided to let them get on with the task without interfering to see what would happen. I'm glad I did as non of them fell out, the problems were discussed in small groups, and solutions were worked out!
Sometimes going into the forest with the students is a pleasure, they enjoy the work, they work hard and they learn something; sometimes going into the forest with the students is excellent! They learn how get on with the job and to get on with each other.
The John Muir Award has provided the opportunity for personal development for all of the students from Cedar House School, who have participated in the award scheme.
A day worth noting for the Tuesday group Conserver/Explorer candidates as it was a day that they begun to act as mentors and supervisors for other candidates. The Conserver students tried these skills on the two Explorer students and vice -versa. The results were very interesting.
'He just doesn't listen to what I've said!'
'They think I know everything and don't give me time to think about it!'
'I think we need to explain things more slowly.'
'I know what I'm trying to say but it seems to come out differently.'
These are just some of the comments that the student's came out with this morning. I decided to let them get on with the task without interfering to see what would happen. I'm glad I did as non of them fell out, the problems were discussed in small groups, and solutions were worked out!
Sometimes going into the forest with the students is a pleasure, they enjoy the work, they work hard and they learn something; sometimes going into the forest with the students is excellent! They learn how get on with the job and to get on with each other.
The John Muir Award has provided the opportunity for personal development for all of the students from Cedar House School, who have participated in the award scheme.
Sunday, 27 September 2009
It has been a few weeks since any news of the work that is being undertaken in the natural classroom has been posted, but there has been many changes. First change, a big one, is the seemingly sudden leap from the busy wide awake summer months, to the lazy somnolent autumnal months. This is especially noticeable when we go into the forest; as one candidate stated:
'Everything seems to be changing so quickly......where has the summer gone?'
We have been back in the forest for a few weeks now and have taken many photos but what the camera can capture in visual imagery it cannot let the viewer share in one of the finest experiences of autumn. The wonderful smells that are all around. Taking a journey through one of our deciduous woodlands is not just filled with visual stimulation, but also a journey into childhood recalling those wonderful smells of leaves and damp earth that we used to play in.
Other changes are the groups that are going into the forest to begin their JohnMuir Awards. There are 2 new Explorer candidates, Holly and Jordan, and 8 new Discovery candidates, Brandon, Jacob, Jodie, Katy, David, Cheryl, Macauly and Denver. Holly was presented with her Discovery Award at the recent opening of the new visitors centre in Grizedale. We had been invited to attend this opening and to have some candidates showing their skills to a variety of dignitaries. This was a good opportunity for the Conserver candidates to 'share' their experiences with others as well as a great opportunity to develop their confidence in speaking to people during social events.
The two Explorer candidates are now going to put their acquired skills into practice by being seconded to the two new Discovery groups. This is a new development for the award its on a trial basis but we feel that it is worth taking the chance to embark on a new exciting journey.
As for embarking on a new journey, it's Scotland bound in October to climb some more of the magnificent hills, to feel the freedom they offer and to see things from a different perspective.
'Everything seems to be changing so quickly......where has the summer gone?'
We have been back in the forest for a few weeks now and have taken many photos but what the camera can capture in visual imagery it cannot let the viewer share in one of the finest experiences of autumn. The wonderful smells that are all around. Taking a journey through one of our deciduous woodlands is not just filled with visual stimulation, but also a journey into childhood recalling those wonderful smells of leaves and damp earth that we used to play in.
Other changes are the groups that are going into the forest to begin their JohnMuir Awards. There are 2 new Explorer candidates, Holly and Jordan, and 8 new Discovery candidates, Brandon, Jacob, Jodie, Katy, David, Cheryl, Macauly and Denver. Holly was presented with her Discovery Award at the recent opening of the new visitors centre in Grizedale. We had been invited to attend this opening and to have some candidates showing their skills to a variety of dignitaries. This was a good opportunity for the Conserver candidates to 'share' their experiences with others as well as a great opportunity to develop their confidence in speaking to people during social events.
The two Explorer candidates are now going to put their acquired skills into practice by being seconded to the two new Discovery groups. This is a new development for the award its on a trial basis but we feel that it is worth taking the chance to embark on a new exciting journey.
As for embarking on a new journey, it's Scotland bound in October to climb some more of the magnificent hills, to feel the freedom they offer and to see things from a different perspective.
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