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ONE Forest School is a nonprofit, private school offering an award-winning, fully accredited, forest school curriculum. Our academic mission is to foster and promote a safe and positive outdoor learning environment that enhances student learning through a project-based curriculum utilizing E-STREAM (Environmental Education, Science, Technology, Reading Engineering, Art, and Math) - the integration of EE, Reading, and Art into STEM learning for children. To support the whole learner in a forest school setting, STREAM also supports Social Skills, Teamwork, Responsibility, Environmental Awareness, Accountability, and Mindfulness..
Our school year’s themes are organized chronologically
based on early American history. The themes highlight the
creation of the United States with an in-depth focus on how
Virginia played a major role. Our academic curriculum focuses
on project based learning through all the content areas utilizing
American History as a themed outline. Previously, we
were chosen as one of three schools in North America to
collaborate, on a global platform, with “Constructive Visions”, a
Nat Geo funded resource project. Schools from 6 continental
regions are participating in this project. The chapters we’re
working on are: Education, Climate, and Nature. The
work done on this book will enhance our learner’s Language Arts
goals and be considered extra credit. They will also receive
full credit, as a participating author, in the book.
Our Forest School Curriculum, which is delivered alongside our
academic curriculum, focuses on teaching students emotional
intelligence. They are learning communication skills, social
skills, leadership, self-esteem, resiliency, etc. through their
Practical Skills (basic busshcraft, hand tool useage, nature
crafting, forest discovery, learning through play, theater,
etc.)
September- Native Americans-North America’s major
culture groups and Virginia’s major tribes. Every learner
will be tasked with creating a diorama of their chosen tribe.
Science looks at the needs of the People; Technology through
research; Reading about Native Americans; Engineering through
building the diorama; Art uses creativity of design; Math uses
geometry of structures. FS EQ Focus -
Increased Regard for Nature
October- Exploration- the Age of Exploration with
the major explorers including John Smith.Students will get
first-hand virtual experience in becoming explorers by creating
their own Map of Exploration! In Science they will be
learning about land formations, seasonal weather patterns, and
natural resources available during that time period.
Technology will offer them research opportunities for different
explorers and investigating different types of maps. Reading
will tell true adventure stories. Engineering will be about
creating their own exploration map. Art will become the
creativity of design utilized in their maps. Math will
explore data collections and math/map symbols.
FS EQ Focus – Physically Balanced for Emotional
Growth
November- The Journey Towards Colonization- the 13
Colonies and where it all began in Jamestown. Science will
explore adapting to a new way of life in foreign
surroundings. Technology will focus on research towards
colonizing. Reading will offer students more ways to learn
about the colonies; their triumphs and struggles.
Engineering/Art/Math – Learners will construct a ship, using
different material choices, then document their virtual journey
with key information about the ship and the trip, i.e. length,
weight, cargo, journey time, passenger list, cargo, etc.
FS EQ Focus - Logic &
Reasoning
December- Revolution- the American
Revolution. Playing interactive board games to understand the
Patriot’s struggles to gain independence. Science/Math will look at
war and weaponry matter (force, motion, energy); Technology, and
its advancements, used in battles. Reading will focus on the
everyday heroes of the American Revolution and their stories.
Engineering/Art – we will re-enact a major battle on a tabletop
model of a battlefield that we will build from scratch.
FS EQ Focus – Increased Focus
January- Young America and the Constitution- early
government and how the Virginia Plan shaped the Legislative
Branch. Using the Scientific Process to form the United
States government and using modern technologies for research and
visual presentations of the formation of our early history as a
freed nation. Reading about Young America and understanding
the Constitution. Engineering/Art project to recreate the Liberty
Bell, and or its image, using natural materials, to highlight the
significance of our national symbol of freedom.
FS EQ Focus - Leadership
February- the Presidents and African American
History- This month will focus on the social aspects of
what led to the American Civil War. At closer look at James
Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln, and the five congressmen who served in
the Union Army who later became presidents. Using modern
technology to study and research this period in our history and
reading about slaves and their stories of perseverance, hardships,
and envisioning a better future for their families.
Engineering/Art will look at building a virtual Underground
Railroad to freedom and creating a fictional person, with a full
background, to take the journey, documenting their struggles, fears
and friends they make along the way, using storytelling and
pictures. FS EQ Focus -
Resiliency
March- Women’s History Month- how women shaped
American history and famous women of Virginia. This month
will focus on women and their contributions to science, technology,
and math. Each learner will choose a famous woman and her
respective advancement, to do their project on.
Engineering/Art to recreate an invention or experiment, by their
chosen hero, and demonstrate the math computations and estimations
used for the invention. FS EQ Focus -
Confidence
April- the Civil War- Virginia, the capital of the
Confederacy, Richmond and major battles fought in Virginia.
Learners will choose a person from the Civil War to research and
investigate enough to give them the resources they’ll need to
create a Memorial Box for their chosen Person of Interest, in a
first-hand accounting look at the life and times of the American
Civil War period of our history. Technology will include a
formal visual presentation to the class, on the stage, using props
to support their written report. Their report will include
not only who they chose but also a creative, even possibly an
imaginary background, of the person’s likes and dislikes, using
probabilities. FS EQ Focus - Empathy
May- America the Beautiful- a celebration of all
who have served and died for America to honor Memorial Day
including the Bedford Boys. Also focusing on United States
Monuments and how they’ve changed through history, as well as, how
our thinking has changed towards controversial monuments; changing
or removing monuments to change or erase our history.
Engineering/Art to create an individual monument to represent the
learners’ choice and its significance.
FS EQ Focus - Communication
recently had the opportunity to take my nephews to One Forest School at SML and was really impressed by the experiences this program offers. I love the "child-led" learning environment and the opportunity for education outside of the classroom. Mrs. Eubanks is very knowledgeable and the boys thoroughly enjoyed going each day! I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique educational experience.
- Posted by Parent - Jennifer McPherson
55/5/2023
Our boys have been attending ONE Forest School and love it!! My husband and I have great communication with Mrs. Eubank and the boys adore her as well. We are so excited to have the ability to send the boys to the forest for a day and allow them to learn more about nature and the area`s wildlife. We would highly recommend One Forest School to any family considering an alternative to traditional child care.
- Posted by Parent - Arielle Crandall
55/5/2023
Our daughter was the first child to enroll in the forest school program and is there full-time Mon thru Friday. At first, my husband and I were skeptical about the legitimacy and focus of the program but decided that we would give it a chance. I cannot express how glad we are that we did. It's not always easy deciding who to entrust with the care of your children but Catherine and her husband Danny are both great people and are so good to our daughter. Catherine is amazing with her and all the other children and has fresh ideas every day to keep them engaged and learning. The outdoor focus and learner-led teaching approach work very well and our daughter comes home in a good mood every day and can't wait to go back. Catherine connects her with the outdoors every day in new and exciting ways in a day and age where kids are playing outside less and less and spending more time on phones or tablets. I cannot say enough good things about Mrs. Catherine and her program and if you are thinking about putting your child in the forest school then you absolutely should do so! 5 stars all around.
- Posted by Parent - Leslee Shelton
55/5/2023
My name is Angus Sutherland and I was a little scared about going to forest school, I thought there would be deadly snakes that would be scary but now that I`m here, and going in the forest every day I think it is so much fun. My favorite thing here is the forest theater where I can be the director and I so much love that. I recommend your child (if you have one) to go to this amazing forest school.
- Posted by Student/Alumni - Angus Sutherland
55/5/2023
One Forest School gives children a one-of-a-kind experience to explore their environment and learn life-long skills. As a special education teacher working with students with behavioral challenges, I highly recommend this program! Every child can benefit from this type of learning but especially those with ADHD/add and those that don`t fit the "typical" mold! My children have enjoyed the time they have spent with Catherine and I just wish we had something like this closer to where we live!
- Posted by Parent - Beth Bond
55/5/2023
One Forest School has helped my granddaughter come out of her shell. She has learned so much and had fun while learning. The school might be outdoors but the way the children learn and retain what they have learned is amazing. Every staff member cares about the children and the staff always make it a point to treat you and the children like family. This is a school where kids can be kids and learn at the same time. Love it!!
- Posted by Parent - Amy Williams
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