‘The Lost Words and Spells’ A One Day Workshop with Jon Cree
An immersive day in the natural world working with words, song and sketch.
About this outdoor learning CPD course
This day course explores nature through the curriculum using literacy, art, pictures, song and rhythm. Participants will discover the natural world through sensory observation, sketching and wordsmithing using the ‘The Lost Words‘ and ’The Lost Spells’ books and other nature poets and painters as inspiration, in order to bring nature back into lesson planning. We will also use the spell songs as inspiration for song and rhythm
The books ‘The Lost Words‘ and ’The Lost Spells’ (Jackie Morris & Robert Mcfarlene, 2017 and 2020), stand for a wild childhood; a childhood where words such as Acorn, Otter, Lark and Dandelion are still part of the rich landscape of discovery and imagination that every childhood should embrace. They are books of the British countryside and celebrates the poetry of nature words and the magic of nature and language for all.
‘Lost Words’ has been issued to schools up and down the country but many educators, though inspired, remain unsure of how to share the themes of the book with their children. This ‘literacy’ day will look at how we can reinvigorate a love of nature through words, and even make up our own through the medium of sketching, creative writing and oral wordsmithing, including song.
We will explore our emotional and natural literacy using simple techniques applicable to any class. Through sensory activity and observation we will look at narrative of story, prose and poetry. When this is combined with simple sketch and painting techniques in the outdoors a deeper connection is made with the natural world. ‘Lost words’ and the ‘Lost Spells’ has been made into song and we will look at simple ways of turning the prose into song.
The day will also embrace other nature poets, such as Ted Hughes and Mary Oliver, to literally journal our way into nature. As we move into the start of spring, this time is ideal to plan for our literacy, art and science subjects in school, and to integrate a more holistic way of working outside. We will explore some simple sensory sketching techniques as well as various story, poetry and song forms.
Who this outdoor learning CPD course is for?
This is a CPD course for anyone wanting to enrich Literacy, Art, Nature Connection and Outdoor Learning opportunities through words, pictures and poetry in the outdoor environment.
It is suitable for Primary Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Early Years Practitioners, Outdoor Educators and Forest School Practitioners, Home School Educators.
What you will learn?
By the end of the course participants will go away with;
- Toolbox of ways of working outside that will build students’ journaling abilities
- Understanding and experience of sensory activity and observation in nature
- Knowledge of how to transpose inspiration from nature into story, prose, poetry, sketching and song
- Simple sketchbook making techniques and own sketchbook
- Sensory activities for capturing the essence of natural world features
- Various writing techniques for creating narrative and poetry for distilling the characteristics and features of natural world features
- Booklist and various sources of inspiration for engagement with and knowledge of the natural world
Who facilitates this course?
I.E.E. accredited trainer Jon Cree will deliver this workshop.
Jon was the founding chair of the Forest School Association (FSA) UK and co-wrote The Essential Guide to Forest School & Nature Pedagogy with Circle of Life Rediscovery Director Marina Robb.
How many hours?
1 day
Next available dates
Date: Tuesday 20th May 2025
Please note places are limited
Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm
Cost: £85.00
Location: Our woodland site, off Park Lane, near Laughton, East Sussex, BN8 6BP
What it involves
This outdoor learning CPD course balances theory and practical application.
Testimonials from other CPD workshops with Jon Cree
I enjoyed the total participation and how it flowed throughout the day. I was not expecting the day to have such a profound effect on me!
I really enjoyed the playful, magical quality to the day and appreciate how easy Jon made it seem, but also how incredibly skillful he was! I also really appreciated how he made such a point of making contact with each one of us throughout the day, I am one of those people who can disappear into the background and feel separate because of it (!) I really appreciated the way Jon kept bringing me back into the group in such a warm and gentle way, it made me feel included, and I have never experienced that in the same way in any other group. That was a big teaching for me personally. Thank you!
Attending the Earthwalks course has given me confidence to know I'm on the right track in my existing work & that I'm not alone! It helps enormously to share these sorts of sessions & be reassured there are other kindred spirits who understand the instinctive & creative work that reconnects/reminds us of our wild nature soul.
Circle of Life Rediscovery CIC has over 25 years of experience in training professionals and inspiring thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds into the outdoors in both the UK, Ireland, Portugal and SE Asia.
We are a leading organisation in nature connection and personal development. As such,we’ve received many grants and awards for our work with groups across different ages and backgrounds.
Our team also offers bespoke training. Get in touch to discuss your requirements.