Sensory Tree – The Explorer

Our classroom tree is a central feature of the learning environment and represents growth, resilience, and exploration. Just like the characters in The Explorer by Katherine Rundell, the tree symbolises how challenges can lead to personal development and discovery.

In the novel, the children must adapt, work together, and learn from their environment as they explore the Amazon rainforest. Similarly, our classroom tree reflects the idea that learning is a journey. Each branch represents new skills, knowledge, and experiences, while the roots symbolise the core values of teamwork, perseverance, and curiosity.

As pupils add leaves to the tree to show their learning, it mirrors the way the characters in The Explorer grow stronger and more confident through their experiences. The tree helps pupils make meaningful links between the text and their own learning, reinforcing the themes of exploration, survival, and personal growth.