EPISODE · Jan 9, 2021 · 1H 3M
Ep 87 - Winterising our site & 'Yearly Theme' setting
from The Forest School Podcast · host Lewis Ames and Wem Southerden
In this relaxed but thought-provoking episode of The Forest School Podcast, Lewis and Gemma record from indoors during a national lockdown and reflect on the rhythms of winter, social dynamics in education, gender politics, and gratitude. They discuss lockdown resilience, the myth of perfect nature provision, and how Forest School leaders can deepen their relationship with the woods during seasonal downtime. The conversation expands into a lively debate on gender equity sparked by a controversial US classroom policy, and circles into the symbolism of site maintenance, reciprocity with nature, and setting sustainable themes for the year ahead. From domestic social history to rushlights and post-hole diggers, this episode weaves together practical woodland advice, philosophical musings, and professional development reflections.🌿 Sponsors:This episode is supported by our wonderful partners:👉 TENTSILE – Makers of the original tree tent. Get 10% off with code ForestChildren10 at www.tentsile.com👉 Chris Holland – Nature connection guide and author. Get 10% off his 54-page plant ID guide using code ForestSchoolPodcast at our affiliate link: https://chrisholland.myshopify.com/?ref=ForestSchoolPodcast⏱ Chapter Timings:00:00 – Lockdown check-in: emotional weather and national context03:40 – Forest School families as more winter-ready than most06:00 – Why kids "can’t" run around in lockdown—and challenging that narrative07:00 – The LEGO gender divide debate: equity, exclusion, and classroom ethics14:00 – Gender in the woods: helping, assumptions, and scaffolding equality19:50 – Site rest and slow noticing: the gift of pausing during lockdown25:00 – Winterising muddy paths: woodchip strategies, Christmas trees, and sourcing tips32:50 – Rethinking visual impact, straight lines, and the Holly King's reminder36:50 – Planting, coppicing, and regenerating the middle woodland story45:00 – Yearly themes: gratitude, reciprocity, and sustainability in practice🌲 Keywords: Forest School winterisation, muddy path solutions, tree care, lockdown in nature, gender and equity in play, gratitude practice, site sustainability, LEGO gender politics, woodland pedagogy, coppicing, posthole diggers, social history, New Year themes, Forest School themes🔖 Hashtags:#ForestSchool #OutdoorEducation #WinterWoodland #NatureConnection #SustainableTeaching #GenderEquity #ForestSchoolPodcast #MuddyPaths #ChildLedLearning #ReflectivePractice #GratitudeInNature #Reciprocity #Coppicing #SiteMaintenance #WoodlandCare🌐 More Episodes & Support:Listen to more and access resources at www.theforestschoolpodcast.comSupport the show and join our community at www.patreon.com/theforestschoolpodcastFor questions, feedback, or collaboration: [email protected]
What this episode covers
In this relaxed but thought-provoking episode of The Forest School Podcast, Lewis and Gemma record from indoors during a national lockdown and reflect on the rhythms of winter, social dynamics in education, gender politics, and gratitude. They discuss lockdown resilience, the myth of perfect nature provision, and how Forest School leaders can deepen their relationship with the woods during seasonal downtime. The conversation expands into a lively debate on gender equity sparked by a controversial US classroom policy, and circles into the symbolism of site maintenance, reciprocity with nature, and setting sustainable themes for the year ahead. From domestic social history to rushlights and post-hole diggers, this episode weaves together practical woodland advice, philosophical musings, and professional development reflections.🌿 Sponsors:This episode is supported by our wonderful partners:👉 TENTSILE – Makers of the original tree tent. Get 10% off with code ForestChildren10 at www.tentsile.com👉 Chris Holland – Nature connection guide and author. Get 10% off his 54-page plant ID guide using code ForestSchoolPodcast at our affiliate link: https://chrisholland.myshopify.com/?ref=ForestSchoolPodcast⏱ Chapter Timings:00:00 – Lockdown check-in: emotional weather and national context03:40 – Forest School families as more winter-ready than most06:00 – Why kids "can’t" run around in lockdown—and challenging that narrative07:00 – The LEGO gender divide debate: equity, exclusion, and classroom ethics14:00 – Gender in the woods: helping, assumptions, and scaffolding equality19:50 – Site rest and slow noticing: the gift of pausing during lockdown25:00 – Winterising muddy paths: woodchip strategies, Christmas trees, and sourcing tips32:50 – Rethinking visual impact, straight lines, and the Holly King's reminder36:50 – Planting, coppicing, and regenerating the middle woodland story45:00 – Yearly themes: gratitude, reciprocity, and sustainability in practice🌲 Keywords: Forest School winterisation, muddy path solutions, tree care, lockdown in nature, gender and equity in play, gratitude practice, site sustainability, LEGO gender politics, woodland pedagogy, coppicing, posthole diggers, social history, New Year themes, Forest School themes🔖 Hashtags:#ForestSchool #OutdoorEducation #WinterWoodland #NatureConnection #SustainableTeaching #GenderEquity #ForestSchoolPodcast #MuddyPaths #ChildLedLearning #ReflectivePractice #GratitudeInNature #Reciprocity #Coppicing #SiteMaintenance #WoodlandCare🌐 More Episodes & Support:Listen to more and access resources at www.theforestschoolpodcast.comSupport the show and join our community at www.patreon.com/theforestschoolpodcastFor questions, feedback, or collaboration: [email protected]
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Ep 87 - Winterising our site & 'Yearly Theme' setting
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