Embedded Files
Grade 8: Oral Communication
Grade 8: Oral Communication
Listen in order to understand and respond appropriately in a variety of situations for a variety of purposes; use speaking skills and strategies appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes; reflect on and identify their strengths as listeners and speakers, areas for improvement, and the strategies they found most helpful in oral communication situations.
Listen in order to understand and respond appropriately in a variety of situations for a variety of purposes; use speaking skills and strategies appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes; reflect on and identify their strengths as listeners and speakers, areas for improvement, and the strategies they found most helpful in oral communication situations.
Nature Journaler: @billiejooutdoors
Nature Journaling: I Notice..., I Wonder...?, It Reminds me of...
Nature Journaling: I Notice..., I Wonder...?, It Reminds me of...
Sharing what students have observed and documented in their nature journal is the perfect way to integrate oral communication into nature journaling. This allows students to not only share what they have experienced but engage in meaningful conversation about it with peers. It will also help to build student confidence through showcasing their own thoughts and ideas with another.
Sharing what students have observed and documented in their nature journal is the perfect way to integrate oral communication into nature journaling. This allows students to not only share what they have experienced but engage in meaningful conversation about it with peers. It will also help to build student confidence through showcasing their own thoughts and ideas with another.
At this age all three prompts "I notice..., I wonder...?, and "It reminds me of..." become very intuitive. However the statement "I wonder..." becomes very important at this age all the way up to 18 years as students deepen their understanding of the world around them. Encourage students to begin writing using single words, simple sentences, lists, point form, paragraphs and even poetry. Please note that spelling is not a focus in the nature journal. At this age you may start to see art fears - please ensure you are re-iterating it is not about a pretty picture. It is about their observations. Please see the link feedback at the bottom of this lesson for tips on this. Using words, pictures and numbers allows the students multiple tools to document their observations. With permission Bethan Burton has allowed us to link to her website as she has written a blog post for Teaching nature journaling at all ages.
At this age all three prompts "I notice..., I wonder...?, and "It reminds me of..." become very intuitive. However the statement "I wonder..." becomes very important at this age all the way up to 18 years as students deepen their understanding of the world around them. Encourage students to begin writing using single words, simple sentences, lists, point form, paragraphs and even poetry. Please note that spelling is not a focus in the nature journal. At this age you may start to see art fears - please ensure you are re-iterating it is not about a pretty picture. It is about their observations. Please see the link feedback at the bottom of this lesson for tips on this. Using words, pictures and numbers allows the students multiple tools to document their observations. With permission Bethan Burton has allowed us to link to her website as she has written a blog post for Teaching nature journaling at all ages.
Here are some more ideas to get you started.
Engage the fives senses (whenever possible)
Make leaf prints ( paint the leaf and press the print into the journal)
Make leaf rubbings
Trace the items they are looking at
Add leaves into the journal using tape
Count the birds/squirrels/insects etc.
Measure as much of the phenomena as the students can using non standard and standard units of measurement.
Here is a downloadable lesson from John (Jack) Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren book: How to Teach Nature Journaling. All resources shared with permission. "I Notice..., I Wonder...?, It Reminds me of..."
GIVING FEEDBACK here is a fantastic resource from Jack and Emilie
NOTE: You are encourage to spend time in the outdoors Nature Journaling. However, you can also bring nature inside, look out your wonder window, have a refrigerator Safari or even observe a house plant or pet.
Photo by: S. Moye
Group of SevenGroup of Seven - Landscapes
Group of Seven - Landscapes
Read through the above article about the famous Group of Seven artists from Canada who are known for their paintings of natural landscapes from across Central and Western Canada starting in the early 1900’s. Each artist has a different background and special techniques to painting their masterpieces. One common element is their love of Canada’s unique landscape and their desire to create thoughtful pieces of art.
From your previous research, which style appeals to you the most?
Research this artist’s history from their arrival in Canada to their place in the group of seven. If possible look at different works of art over many years to discover if their preferences, techniques, lines or style changes as they age.
Present to another person your findings and your opinion on the specific artwork you enjoy. Use your knowledge of lines, textures, shapes, and space to cement your opinion.
What do you think was the appeal of this group’s artwork at the time when they were creating?
What natural/outdoor space would you want an artist in this group to paint? What is the most important component that you would want them to capture?
Curriculum Links:
see Reading
see Visual Arts
Where Is Here? Can You Hear Me Now?
Where Is Here? Can You Hear Me Now?
Speak to a partner as if they are remotely on Mars (perhaps they are 'acting' as an alien). Using your written instructions as a guide, explain to them how they would travel from Mars to your current location.
Speak to a partner as if they are remotely on Mars (perhaps they are 'acting' as an alien). Using your written instructions as a guide, explain to them how they would travel from Mars to your current location.
Answer any questions they may have about your directions. As you answer these questions make notes about where you may need to clarify your instructions and then return to your written instructions to make adjustments where needed.
Continue the journey by completing the activity found in Earth & Space Systems.
Curriculum Links:
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.
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