We discussed Force of Nature in my Extending Literacy course, one aimed at elementary teachers. I borrowed from Project Wet to do a model lesson and also shared the power of dialogue books. We watched a sequence on watersheds, too, and then began applying knowledge from our own reading. I was thrilled by the first-words the kids came up with as an opening kick-off activity.
- Time (we have now)(what they had then)
- History
- Poetic Accomplishment
- Dreams
- Connections
- Inspirational
- Inspiring (and sad)
- HOPE
- Captivating
- Wonder at its best
- Transparent (w/o the flag)
- Growth
- Innocence
- Perseverance
- Resilient
- Perspectives (views/angles)
- Life Cycle (the whole sh’bang)
- Ease, but heavy
- Empowering: Do YOU in life.
Next week, the 18 newbies (getting ready for graduate school) turn in their first lesson and, in addition to the parts and time it takes to plan ahead, we've been reading Ann E. Burg's book as an overarching model for working with 3-6th grade classroom. Their certification goes to 5th, but we thought 6th grade teachers might like the book, too.
One of the areas the students discussed that might be problematic for kids is the amount of loss that Rachel Carson experienced throughout her life, always stepping in and up for her family. I didn't think about this while reading, because I was attuned to nature, its patterns, and the large message. We discussed how the four seasons bring change in the same way life does. We want to prolong and celebrate life, which include the human role in our natural settings, but also need to realize that loss comes with it. It is natural, too. This, they thought, might be heavy for kids to think about...which it may.
I believe teachers have told me 4th grade reading has traditionally been the loss of family pets. Hmmm. I'll need to look into it more.
Needless to say, the class did phenomenal (especially since it was a Monday Night on a Tuesday Night ordeal).
I listened to the students as they were talking in their groups through the prompts of a dialogue booklet, and I was thinking about how they, as seniors in college, are also contemplating how quick it goes by and how they no longer are watching the clock like they used to do in K-12 schools. One of the students said, "teaching time and progress would be easier with this book, because it covers childhood, schooling, and lifetime success. It shows the commitment of work in school, as a kid, and where it leads to down the road."
Anyway, back to campus I go. More planning and arranging is needed.
