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get out and write

how can nature teach us to think?

What is observation, and why does it matter? We are going to use our outside surroundings as a classroom this week to practice honing our observation skills, which are a key element to critical thinking. Why? Because we have to notice to think.

Module summary:
  • discuss how to observe effectively
  • practice observing outside:
    • nature walk
    • sit 'n study
    • object poem
    • landmark directions
  • discuss, write, and reflect along the way
Picture

essential questions

  • How do we read a complex text for comprehension?
  • How does descriptive language enhance writing?
  • How do we respond thoughtfully to someone else's ideas?

goals

  • Students will understand that using predicting skills, annotating the text, and re-reading help us stay engaged when reading complex texts.
  • Students will understand that descriptive language helps us be more specific in our writing and keeps a reader engaged by creating mental images.

activities

Monday 
  • warm-up: observation practice
    • write as much about a picture as you can in five minutes (check with Christine if you need to make this up on your own)
  • outside location: soccer fields/river
  • review close reading strategies
    • chunk the text
    • write summary in left margin
    • write connections between you and the text in the right margin [NOTES]
  • read: "How to Boost Your Observation Skills"
    • use close reading strategies
    • discuss
  • investigate a tree from multiple angles - record observations [NOTES]
  • take a nature walk along river trail and record observations based on five senses [NOTES]
  • debrief: what helped you observe better? what did the experience mean for you?
Tuesday
  • outside location: South Main green
  • sit in one spot for seven minutes and record observations [NOTES]
  • "Go Inside a _____" poem activity
    • Read Charles Simic's poem
    • Observe your own object (Christine will provide)
    • Write a poem based on this object
  • Share poems - try to guess objects
Wednesday
  • outside location: various
  • sit in one spot for seven minutes and record observations [NOTES]
  • use observation skills to write out directions for a walk
    • write out instructions for a walk based on observable landmarks, no proper nouns or use of "blocks"
    • we will test out walks using your directions
  • use words and phrases from notes (anything marked [NOTES]) to create a found poem about observation
Thursday
  • No class (all-school high ropes course field trip)
Friday​​
  • type up written pieces
    • Go inside a... poem
    • Directions for a walk
    • Found poem
  • final object observation test

c-tachs

Writing
  • Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience
Reading
  • Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research
  • Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence
Language
  • Demonstrate command of conventions of standard English grammar when speaking and writing
  • Demonstrate command of standard capitalization and punctuation
  • Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meaning 

documents

Outdoor Writing Module Syllabus
File Size: 41 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Refer to your Reading and Writing Handbook for literary terms (p. 20) and close reading strategies (p. 39)

Picture

The Mission of Chaffee County High School

“We engage and empower our society through innovative education to make a more positive and peaceful world." 

Contact Us

  • Home
    • About
  • Caper with the Classics
  • State of the Union
  • Reading & Writing
    • All-American Boys
  • Recent Modules
    • Connect >
      • Board Games & Blogging
      • CCHS Powtoon
      • Coco!
      • Creative Writing Seminar
      • Dragon Post
      • Editorializing
      • E-mail Etiquette (Star Wars)
      • English Skills
      • HONY and Narrative Essays
      • Personal Essay & Resume
      • Persons, Places, Things
      • Photo Essays
      • Teach Me Something
      • Virtual Reality-ing
    • Construct >
      • 2018 in Review
      • Book Censorship
      • Live Anywhere
      • Picture Book Inquiry
      • PSA Powtoon
      • Rant to Reason
      • Who Cares?
    • Be Curious >
      • CCHS Librarians
      • Emma: Friend or Foe?
      • Fahrenheit 451
      • Found Poetry
      • Google Expeditions
      • Hero's Journey
      • Irreverence
      • Macbeth
      • Poetry
      • The Lottery
    • Senior English >
      • Research
      • Senior Analysis
      • Senior Composition