Spangle Gall

This was found during our walk around the site the other day and the children wanted to know what it was.

The Wildlife Trust has this to say about it:-
The Spangle Gall is caused by a tiny gall wasp, Neuropterus quercusbaccarum, and can be found on the underside of oak leaves in early autumn. It is common and widespread, and a single leaf can host up to 100 galls, each containing a single larva. The galls fall to the ground and can be seen around oak trees during autumn; the larvae continue to develop through the winter, and emerging as adults in April.

It appears it can be found almost anywhere.

Also found today Silk Button Spangle Galls

Spy Camp

Year 6 have started reading Stormbreaker by Anthony Horrowitz and wanted the children to experience  what it may be like to train as a spy as part of their learning using the Engage phase from the @CornerstonesEdu and Forest School.

We planned nine activities to allow the whole year group to take part at the same time and maximise the time outside allocated through the Forest School timetable. The two sessions had 5-6 adults to supervise activities.

Each group had their own Spy Chart to collect points.

The activities were:-

1. Tree Climb
2. Putting up a Hammock
3. Slacklining
4. Pea Shooting
5. Camouflage
6. Code Making and Breaking
7. Den Building
8. Tracking
9. Water Challenge

The activities were planned to develop specific skill that the children would need when they went out on a mission.

Here are some children's thoughts about the activities:-

listen to ‘Spy Camp Reflections’ on Audioboo