At Home in the Forest: Our Unique Relationship with Divoká Šárka

Written by Deb Wilenski, ECF Atelierista / Pedagogista, and Kerry Craig, ES Teacher - Outdoor Learning

ISP is fortunate to be neighbours with the stunning landscape of Divoká Šárka. For our youngest learners in Early Childhood Foundations, the forest is a familiar and much-loved space. Weekly visits throughout the year allow children to explore its changing beauty, making the slopes, valleys, trees, and mosses a natural extension of their school life.

In the forest, there is space to be adventurous and try new things, as well as quiet moments for imagination and reflection. Time spent in nature benefits both students and teachers, fostering well-being, physical health, and meaningful connections between learning in and outside the classroom.

Our emergent curriculum, within the PYP framework, embraces this unique environment. When our five- and six-year-olds slid down ravines and balanced along fallen trees, it sparked an inquiry into 'What does it mean to be daring?'. Meanwhile, three- and four-year-olds exploring storytelling found the perfect setting in the forest, where they fed monsters, discovered underground worlds, and rescued friends from imaginary perils.

In Elementary School, various grade levels use the forest to deepen their learning. Grade 1 students visit regularly as they explore how people and nature interact in their ‘Appreciation of the Local Environment’ unit. Through careful observation of flora and fauna, they uncover seasonal changes and the relationships between living things. A local forest ranger joins them, sharing knowledge and stories that enhance their understanding. Before winter, students also take part in a community action initiative, setting up bird feeders to support local wildlife.

Grade 4's ‘Sharing the Planet’ unit focuses on biomes and ecosystems, beginning with our own local forest. Through dedicated exploration days, students observe the environment as artists, researchers, and scientists. A simple 50cm by 50cm square of forest floor reveals the intricate connections between living things - holes in leaves, fallen twigs, or an abandoned snail shell all tell a story. These hands-on experiences provide a foundation for understanding ecosystems beyond our own.

Through play, exploration, and inquiry, our students develop a deep appreciation for the forest. As they observe, draw, and forage, they strengthen their connection with the environment and their role within it. Learning in Divoká Šárka is not just an opportunity - it is a valued part of an ISP education, helping students engage with the natural world in meaningful and lasting ways.

At ISP, we believe learning happens everywhere, and we are grateful that our 'everywhere' includes a forest on our doorstep.