LKS2 – Fire Making – Forest School

Pupils in LKS2 have continued with their work on fire making today in order to embed the skills learnt since Christmas. Today there was a special reward on offer for successful groups – the opportunity to roast marshmallows over their own fire. Groups worked together to construct a fire lay they deemed the most suitable for the job depending on their fire pit and how damp the base or floor was. Carefully, pupils built fire lays with all the features required to start a good fire – cotton wool in the center, gaps to let air circulate and thin, brittle sticks above the cotton wool to catch on fire. Once complete, children then used flint and steel safely to set their fire lays alight. Teams also had to communicate effectively to ensure they grew their fire and prevent it going out in the early stages by quickly assessing what the fire’s needs were and giving it to them – either more heat, oxygen or fuel. Children had to react quickly and problem solve instantly, thinking of solutions on their feet and implementing strategies to manage their fire. At the end of the session, teams reviewed and reflected on the task with a view to repeating their successes next time and adapting techniques which didn’t quite work. Those teams who were successful shared their tips and the challenges they faced throughout the task and loved the roasted marshmallows! 

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