The KVFS snail represents so many interesting and important things for our Forest School. The snail reminds us to sloooow down, use our senses, observe things closely - just like children do. The snail carries with it all that it needs to survive comfortably in any environment and in an all-weather-nature-immersion school, we’ll often be just like that snail! The lines on the snail's shell are representative of the Fibonacci Sequence (a wonderful representation of math in nature) and the cycle of the seasons, and they are also reminiscent of the pages of a book. In our Forest School we’ll always look to nature to help us understand the world around us.
Key Tenets of the KVFS Model
Abundant Outside Time
We offer abundant, uninterrupted time outside to play and explore along with structured and scaffolded activities and lessons designed to help children have a deep understanding of natural cycles and concepts.
Nature Based Curriculum
Our curriculum ties real-world academics to observations in the natural world and promotes place-based learning through relevant and seasonal studies themes.
Whole-Child Assessment
We seek see and meet the whole child in their learning journey by traditional and non-traditional documentation of gained skills and concepts that guide the teacher in scaffolding their next learning challenge.
Key Features Of The KVFS Model
All-weather nature immersion with a daily schedule that provides much time outdoor exploration
Seasonal Studies curriculum that offers an academic scope and sequence based on seasonal changes and provides rich experiences with literacy, math, science and social studies concepts.
Exploration through play that guides children to learn problem solving, innovation, teamwork, and resilience and leads to increased emotional awareness, developed spatial awareness, and large and fine motor development.
Place-based learning that is rooted in our local environments. We learn deeply about where we live and make connections to the land, to the plants and animals and to the people that make this place home.
