Why teach children
about woodlands?
As part of our understanding of British History and British
Values, it is important for children to see how humans have changed our
landscape and to the extent that it has been changed over time, and why.
Learners can then understand the bigger picture of why we are learning about
our woodlands and why it is important for us look after and improve the
environment.
Woodlands have diminished from our country, alongside many
natural habitats around the world, through a long history of human activity.
Around 7000 years ago it is estimated that around 75% of Britain was woodland –
compared to 12% today. (Joined-up Forestry – Kevin Watts)
Sharing with children a graph of the number of trees, and then
creating their own version using natural found objects in the forest, is a
valuable way of showing how in recent time we have begun to replant; as our
understanding of the importance of the
natural environment has increased.
If learners are looking at the Industrial Revolution in
Britain KS2 or younger children exploring environmental books including,
‘Dinosaurs and all that Rubbish – Michael Foreman’ then they may be able to
make the link between the increase in industry and the decrease in the amount
of woodland.
There is more than meets the eye in British Woodlands and
children are very good at exploring details and observing; once their ‘Forest
School vision’ has been switched on!
Initial ideas of sharing the different structures of
woodland can be through scavenger hunt type activities, where they can explore
and look closely at their surroundings before coming back to share and piece
together what they have discovered. Using an action song such as, ‘Ground,
field, shrub and canopy’ sung to the tune of ‘Heads, shoulders, knees and toes’
is a good way for all learners to remember the different vertical layers and
the actions reinforce the layers too.
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