July 8th, 2013

7/8/13

In Class:
Journal (after reading 'Tenacity of Life' from H.D. Thoreau's Journals)--  Do you agree with Thoreau's statement about living creatures? Why do you think he believes in this notion?

As a class, reviewed and analyzed "For the Lobaria, Usnea, Witch’s Hair, Map Lichen, Ground Lichen, Shield Lichen" and "Witchgrass" as species-focused nature writing using the following questions:
   * Pull up Wiki for background information/extra resources 
   * What species is the subject of this piece? 
   * What message is the author trying to convey about the species and its place in the world? 
   * What characteristics, symbolic purpose, and behaviors of the species help the author convey that message? 
   * Where do you see the intersection of the human and other-than- human worlds? What does that intersection imply about the Earth as a whole? 

Independently, each student read either 1) 'White-Headed Eagle' by John James Audobon, 2) 'Galapagos Tortoise' by Charles Darwin, or 3) 'Loon' by Henry David Thoreau, then analyzing and answering the above questions.
 


Next, each student chose one of the following species (which we will see on Wednesday) to research for species-focused nature writing:
- Prickly pear cactus       - Yucca
- Morning glory               - Prickly rose
- Sage                             - Hemlock
- Penstemon                   - Purple locoweed
- Plains cottonweed        - Ponderosa pine
- Creeping thistles          - Chicory

With chosen species, students began researching using the graphic organizer to the left.

Exit ticket: What time do you need to be in class on Wednesday?


Homework:
Finish graphic organizer for species research.
Excursion on Wednesday!