Question

Forest schools are a type of outdoor education in which children (or adults) visit forests, learning personal, social and technical skills. It has been defined as “an inspirational process that offers children, young people and adults regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence through hands-on learning in a woodland environment”.

Forest schools use the woods and forests as a means to build independence and self-esteem in school-age children. Topics are broad including the natural environment, for example the role of trees in society, the complex ecosystem supported by a wilderness, and recognition of specific plants and animals. However, the personal skills are considered highly valuable, such as teamwork and problem solving. The woodland environment may be used to learn about more abstract concepts such as mathematics and communication. Forest schools are also called nature schools.

Schedules within forest schools vary, but a typical approach is to take school children to woodland for once a week, with 6 week observation period at first. Often a baseline(基线)is produced for each child in terms of areas of their overall development, with particular emphasis on their social and emotional aspects of learning (SEAL). Once the baseline assessment has been produced, the Forest School teachers will then continue with the long term programme over the course of the academic year in order to support the child in their development and learning. The teachers will provide opportunities for each child to develop in areas that have been identified as requiring interventions(介入)or support of any kind. The time and frequency of visits influences the degree of outcome most; more time spent in forest schools brings greater benefits. Visits should continue throughout the year, allowing children to experience all weathers and the changing seasons.

Forest schools are often “led by the child’s interests” by comparison to other outdoor education which “starts with a problem for the children to investigate”.

(Note: Answer the questions or complete the statement in about ten words.)

78．The goal of forest schools is defined as to __________________in a woodland environment.

79．What personal skills are considered highly valuable in Forest schools?

   __________________________________________________________________________

80．What does the third paragraph mainly talk about?

  ___________________________________________________________________________

Answer 1

78. achieve and develop confidence through hands-on learning

79.The ability to join teamwork and solve problems.

80.A typical approach of taking children to the forest school.