Today we were welcomed to Knockmany Forest school by Paddy Nelson. We were given lots of opportunities to experience some of the wonderful things that the forest holds.
The children were asked to collect branches from the forest floor and add these to the den frame.
Lots of team work, discussion, heavy carrying and problem solving was evident during this exciting task.
When the den was complete, everyone squeezed tightly into it for a group photo.
Later the children were given the opportunity to do some pond dipping. They were all shown how to use a large net to agitate the silt. The silt hold lots of nutrients and is like a larder for the water creatures that live there.
The children were to let the water get a little muddy, before scooping many minute creatures into the net.
The children examined their finds and used a pamphlet to try to find the generic name of their creature. Many of the children found fresh water shrimps!
The creatures were spooned into specimen bottles, where they could be examined more thoroughly.
I think we all were amazed at how many creatures were found in such a tiny area of the river. We really are lucky to have the Forest School so close to Cabragh.
It was a brilliant experience, we learnt some new facts, got to try something that we had never done before and we didn't mind getting wet!
Thank you to everyone at the Knockmany Forest School for giving us the best day ever.
