A Storythread Experience for Grade One.
Discovering the joy and wonder of forests and making a commitment to care for them.
Chapter One
Enrol the students in a relevant real-world blanket role connected to their local environment and establish the key skills, knowledge and values needed to take on this role. Begin getting to know your local place through research, attentiveness, linking in with existing projects or issues and speaking with local experts. Record and reflect on the students’ discoveries & progress throughout Chapter One.
Introduce the PEEC storybook Is There a Frog in You… Or a Caterpillar Instead? in connection with the students’ role. The central character of Mrs Whittacker knows her forest so well she sees the things of the forest in the people she meets. Read and think deeply about Mrs Whittacker, her actions and values through literacy, philosophy and drama, and begin learning about the living things in her forest backyard. Accept the invitation to attend the excursion at PEEC, find out more about Mrs Whittacker’s adventures and visit the forest.
Chapter Two
At PEEC, the students are introduced to the wonder of the forest through a second story aboutMrs Whittacker. After passing the Magic Gold Test and becoming special Forest Helpers, they use their senses and imaginations to explore a local forest environment.
Chapter Three
Back at school, the children recap the excursion day and then reflect on and continue the story. By also reflecting on their experiences so far, the students consider and articulate what they have learnt about themselves and their connection to place, and identify the skills that they have developed. What now?
Chapter Four
The children work together to develop and implement an achievable, student-led project that will link them with the community and make life better in their place.