wipAdirondack Curriculum Project - www.adkcurriculum.org tested
NYS Content Area Standard

√ ELA
Standard 1. Language for information & understanding
- use details, examples, anecdotes, or personal experiences to explain or clarify information		 Title: Turning Observations Into Tales

Grade Level: 3rd

Author: Sarah Bencze

Email: sarahb@tupperlakecsd.net
 Adirondack Curriculum Content Area
___ Natural History
___ Human History
_√_ Culture & the Arts
___ Government & Civics
___ Economy
___ Health, Recreation & Life Skills

Investigative Question or Issue: How can you record your observations, thoughts, and feelings about an adventure you have had in the Adirondacks?

Challenge:  
Using materials provided by your teacher,and decorative items you have collected, create a journal that you will use to record observations, thoughts and feelings about an adventure you have had in the Adirondacks.  

After participating in chosen adventure with class (ie- nature trail walk, hike up mountain, snowshoe , cross-country ski, visit to Visitor's Center, etc.) record entry into nature journal.

Entry must include:
  • date, weather, time,
  • illustration(s) with labels,
  •  descriptive words, details about habitats you observe,
  • a map drawing of where you went in relation to where you started, and
  • anything else you wish to include in your journal entry. 
You will be asked to reflect  on your journal observations and share with class.

Quality Standards:  

Journal is created and decorated in class
Journal entries include:
-date
-weather
-time
-illustrations with labels
-descriptive words
-details about habitats you observe
-a map drawing of where you went in relation to where you started
-anything else you wish to include to show your thoughts, feelings, and observations about the adventure
-Reflect on journal by answering the following:
a-What were the most interesting things you learned?
b-What big ideas have you learned from this journal entry?
c-What skills do you plan to improve upon over the next set of entries?
d-Which observations and comments would you most like to share with others?
e-How can you incorporate more details,descriptive illustrations or words into your journal entries?
f- What are some other important things you can keep a journal for?
-Journal entry is shared with class
Adapted for the Adirondack Curriculum Project from the work of Education By Design TM and Leading EDGE, LLC ©ACP 2002

   Product Quality
Checklist
Date: ________                                                                     Class Period: ________
Product Author(s):

 
 Product Title/Name:
Turning Observations into Tales
Evaluator Name(s)
 
 Observed Standard/Criteria
Possible
Points
Rating
   Journal cover is decorated with collected items  10  
   Journal entry is dated, time and weather  10  
   Illustration is included with labels  10  
   Descriptive words are used  10  
  Entry include details about any habitats observed   10  
   Journal entry is student's own work  10  
  Entry includes a map drawing showing where you went on adventure in relation to where you began
  10  
  Journal Entry is reflected upon by answering the 6 questions:
a-most interesting things you learned
b-big ideas you've learned from this journal entry
c-skills to be improved upon
d-observations and comments you are willing to share
e-how more descriptive details, illustrations and words can be incorported into future journal entries
f-other important things to keep a journal for

  20   
   Journal entry is willingly shared with class  10  
 
TOTALS
  100  

Comments: I would like to teach journaling beforehand, illustration techniques, noting details, drawing a map and showing important landmarks. This could be done right outside of a school, down in the woods and various places to get different perspectives.

My artist in residence was Liza Frenette, author of "Dangerous Falls Ahead". We complete several challenges based on her book when learning about the Raquette River. She did some journaling lessons, and writing with the students, teaching them to share their observations. She has a wonderful knack for storytelling and making characters come to life.
nyscaArts Forever Wild 2 Artists-in-Residence Project
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