First Level – ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’

Created on: 22 Dec 2020 | Last modified: 10 Apr 2024

HWB Focus: Mental and Emotional HWB, Relationships, Food and Health

Week 1

FarawayTree

 

Week 2

  • Recap on their Pebble Poems from last week. This week we are going to continue with the outdoor learning theme and using natural resources.

  • Why not start the children off by looking at the trees that they discovered in their local area last week? Using their blossom and tree ID kit (https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2020/03/tree-id-kids/), which type of tree is the tallest and widest they can find?

  • Can the children work out the height of the tallest tree without a tape measure, ladder or even a trampoline? Here is a fun way they can do it and all they will need is a stick and one other person from their family - https://www.edenproject.com/learn/for-everyone/outdoor-learning-with-trees .  Ask the children to compare notes and see who can find the tallest tree in the land.  Maybe ask them to take a picture and bring it into school or send it in, if remote learning is in place.

  • As an extension activity, the children can look for trees which have been cut or blown down. By counting the rings on the trunk, can they work out the age of the tree?  For more information, this website might help - https://mocomi.com/age-of-a-tree/ They may also want to do some bark rubbing.

  • Now introduce the children to Enid Bylton’s ‘Magic Faraway Tree’. The children might like to read or listen to the book over the next few weeks.  The audiobook book can be accessed here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuwyvYR_qqw .  As a little taster, they could listen to this audio-clip of one chapter, where the children explore ‘The Land of Topsy Turvy’ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF_UeQjhVXs.  Alternatively, the children  might want to watch this short video clip of ‘The Land of Spells’  – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LEomYrVy-k

  • Ask the children what would be at the top of their Magic Faraway Tree? What sort of world would they like to find?  Invite the children to share their world with you, in any way they choose.  This might be by audio clip, a video, a dance (if in accordance with public health guidance in place at the time), drawing or painting or a story.  Why not create a class novel to rival Enid Blyton’s bestseller!

  • Time to continue the magic. Last week the children had fun building their dens. Why not see if they can build a home for a woodland elf or fairy?  This website might give them some ideas to get started - http://www.treetoolsforschools.org.uk/activities/pdfs/pdf_elf_houses.pdf

  • The children might now like to make their own magic potions, using natural resources from the school garden or their garden, park or a local wood. What magic will their potions bring?  All they will need is a jar with some water, a stick to mix their ingredients and a magic spell!  Ideas for a spell can be found here - http://www.treetoolsforschools.org.uk/activities/pdfs/pdf_woodland_potions.pdf or perhaps the children could make up their own rhyming spell!  For an extra touch of magic, don’t forget their wand.  Here are some tips to create a colourful wand from a wooden stick - http://www.treetoolsforschools.org.uk/activities/pdfs/pdf_magic_wand.pdf

  • If the children would like to experiment with magic potions indoors, this website provides some ideas to extend the learning and even make Rainbow Potions - https://redtri.com/pretend-magic-potions-kids-can-make/slide/1

Note in relation to the use of online resources

Where online resources have been referenced, access to the resource is currently free.  In some cases, this may be for a limited period and members should monitor their engagement on this basis. All online references have been selected on an illustrative basis for the relevant potential learning activities.  There may be other websites and platforms which will provide similar activities.  In referencing these websites, the EIS does not endorse any advertisements shown on the page, the views of those presenting or the wider content of the website.