BEFORE
Before you visit Deep Forest Art Land, the adventure begins right in the classroom.
The students will watch a short video and work on questions. The questions are intended to serve as conversation starters, giving them an initial insight into the setting and prompting them to reflect on how art, language, and context can influence the way we experience and understand the world.
Our core message is that there is no single correct answer, but many different ones, and that we want to give students the opportunity to notice details, articulate their own thoughts, and listen to each other’s perspectives.
Overview
Duration: about30 minutes
Activities: Video+ discussion questions
Purpose: Toprovide students with a common starting point before their visit to the forest.
To the Teacher
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Adapt the questions and pace to your grade level.
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The lesson can be conducted in class as a group discussion.
The students first discuss the topic in pairs and then share their thoughts with the class. The goal is not to find the “right” answers, but to encourage the students to share their own observations, experiences, and perspectives.
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The introductory session provides students with a common foundation before they encounter the art in the forest.
The video establishes an initial sensory connection to the place and sparks curiosity. The discussion that follows gives students the opportunity to share their observations and hear others’ perspectives.
When students have already made observations and worked on questions, their encounter with the artworks becomes more active. They arrive not merely as spectators, but as active participants.
The students first discuss the topic in pairs and then share their thoughts with the class. This structure gives everyone the opportunity to express their own thoughts while also listening to others’ perspectives.
The conversation revolves around words, emotions, and meaning. It invites reflection on how language can influence the way we experience and understand the world.
The goal is not to find the right answers, but to spark curiosity before the field trip to the forest.
Watch the video
Open the room together
When you visit Deep Forest Art Land, let’s talk about art, language, and the thoughts and feelings that works of art can inspire. That’s why it’s important that we approach one another with curiosity and respect for different perspectives.
Have a brief discussion as a class:
What does it take to have the courage to say what you really think—even if others don't agree?
Listen to a few answers.
Then tell the students that part of the visit is about exploring art together and being curious about different ways of experiencing and understanding the world.
Focus your gaze
Now the students will work on the questions.
The students first talk in pairs. Then, briefly summarize the discussion with the class so that different perspectives can be brought to light.
The purpose is not to find the right answers, but to give students the opportunity to articulate their own observations and hear how others have experienced the same thing.
Feel the words
About the Video
Talk in pairs
What did you notice in the video?
Class Recap
What different things did we notice?
Words and Feelings
Part of your visit focuses on how language can influence our thoughts and feelings.
Talk in pairs
Are there words that can make you annoyed or upset?
Are there words that can make you happy?
Class Recap
Why do you think words can have such a big impact on us?
Strong Words
Sometimes we use words that are stronger than we actually mean.
Talk in pairs:
When do you sometimes say something more strongly than you actually mean?
Class summary:
What have the students been talking about?
How can the meaning of a word change?
Now you're ready for the expedition
The students have shared their thoughts and listened to each other's perspectives, and now they just need to be reminded to
- We're outside all day
- Bring a packed lunch and a full water bottle (there is no place to get water in the forest)
- Dress for the weather
If you need a refresher on all the practical information, you can find it here→Practical Information