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The children of Reception wanted to create sculptural mini beasts for the environmental area of the school using woven willow.

Four insects bodies were created using mild steel rods and chicken wire that could be woven upon with willow. They were a stag beetle, ladybird, caterpillar and a dragon fly.

Each class was taught about willow, in particular how it grows and is harvested by coppicing, and it's many uses and properties.

Weaving was done over two days with the children spending as much time as they wanted on the sculpture.

The result is a great collection of willow insects that can be rewoven over and over again, or simply additional willow added to the structure with each new reception year.

The children enjoyed themselves, took a lot of pride over their work and were a pleasure to teach.








Selected Testimonials:

"All of the children became quickly engaged in weaving the minibeasts, finding the activity stimulating and absorbing. It was a fantastic experience for all involved and we now have four wonderful bug sculptures nestled in the flowerbeds of our playground, thank you for your time and expertise!"
"I Liked bending the willow into curves"
"I worked on the ladybird, it was fun, I liked it. Rachel helped us, she is very kind"
"I liked weaving the willow"
"I liked it. It was fun."
"I loved it. My favourite part was when we did the weaving."
"We made bugs out of sticks."
"I liked it when we weaved it out and in. I did the caterpillar."
"I loved weaving the sticks. It was fun, it was fantastic."
"It was wet. It was fun."

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