Near the beginning of every forest school class, after we’ve walked through the woods and reached our classroom, we ask ourselves a question that’s at once simple and full of possibility: “What will we make today?”

The answer begins to take shape as we search for whatever branches and logs we can find tucked away on the edges of our classroom. An interesting piece of bark that’s detached from its stump suggests the roof of a cabin. Or a pliant willow branch calls to mind an archway when bent in half. Hauling these treasures back to our building site, we talk about what they might become.

I’ve always wanted to have a song to sing at this moment of potential, one that marks how creativity flows from sharing our imaginations. So I wrote the following tune, which I hope you enjoy and use in your own work and play.

Song:

What Will We Make Today?
By Charles Foster

What will we make today?
The wish is but ours to grant —
Something that we can play with,
Anything stands a chance.

Maybe a highway or a railroad track
To guide our way and lead us back —

What will we make today,
What will we make today?

Maybe a castle for us to hide in
Then welcome all our friends inside it —

What will we make today,
What will we make today?

Maybe a boat from a fallen tree
To carry us far across the sea —

What will we make today,
What will we make today?