We are often asked if, during this unstructured, nature-based learning time:
"Do students ever just wander off?"
"How do you gather the group once they are out exploring?"
Building off the idea that our classes were split into two animal ally groups called the owls and the wolves, we develop our gathering routines. When we hoot or howl, the students are expected to come back to us, to a designated gathering point. We practice these calls often at the beginning of the year, turning it into a game. It helps us build trust between us and the students, knowing they are free to explore but they will come back when called.
* Thanks to Petra from Forest School Canada sharing this idea with us. It has definitely stuck.
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