how can we live (and write) deliberately?

How does nature help us live deliberately? In this week's Connect module, we'll use nature as a springboard for creative writing. We'll delve into Thoreau's Walden a bit, discuss whether we are losing that touch with nature, and write narrative essays after spending time outdoors.

Module summary:

• read and discuss two texts: excerpts from Walden and an op ed about kids and nature
• engage with the outdoors through activities and writing prompts:
  • nature walk
  • sit 'n study
  • change in perspectives
• write a narrative essay based on one (or all) of your prompts

" I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." - Henry Thoreau

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essential questions

• How do we read a complex text for comprehension?
• How do we synthesize ideas with reflective writing?

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 we synthesize by comparing and finding connections between ideas, often from our own lives.

activities

INTRODUCE 

• Listen to Morgan read the op ed article, "Are we raising a generation of nature-phobic kids?"
• Review syllabus and expectations
  • Note: we'll miss class Thursday because of the Silvercliff field trip

EXPOSE

• Read "Excerpts from Walden"
  • ​Annotate with questions, connections, memorable quotes
  • Discuss: what is Thoreau saying? what does it mean to live deliberately?
• Compare Walden with op ed article
  • How do these pieces relate to each other? to you? what should we take away from this discussion?
  • How can we live deliberately with nature?

PRACTICE

• Participate in outdoor activities and writing prompts:
  • Sit in one location for 30 minutes and get distracted by nature
    • Prompt: What are you seeing that you wouldn't have noticed if you weren't deliberately observing your surroundings?
  • Go for a walk and observe with the senses 
    • Prompt: Stop every ten minutes and write for four minutes. What did you see? hear? smell? touch? taste? (You'll do this three times)
  • Spend 30 minutes watching the world from another perspective (based on a slip of paper you choose randomly).
    • Prompt: Freewrite for about 10 minutes from your assigned perspective, based on what you observed. What is life like for you? What are your goals, your joys, your fears?

CREATE

• Write a 300-500 word narrative essay based on one of (or a combination of) your prompts
  • ​Incorporate a reflection on the question, "what does it mean to live deliberately with nature?"
  • Narrative can be typed or legibly handwritten
  • Integrate elements of nature (artifacts, photos) if desired

REFLECT​​

• Conference with Morgan about narrative essay and module
  • How might this module affect your thought process on living deliberately in the future?

c-tachs

Writing

• Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience

Reading

• Read and comprehend complex literature and informational text independently, accurately and for deep understanding

resources

Go Write Outside syllabus
Op ed: Are we raising a nature-phobic generation?
Excerpts from Walden

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