Reading
Grade 8: Reading
Read and demonstrate an understanding of a variety of literary, graphic, and informational texts, using a range of strategies to construct meaning; recognize a variety of text forms, text features, and stylistic elements and demonstrate understanding of how they help communicate meaning; use knowledge of words and cueing systems to read fluently; reflect on and identify their strengths as readers, areas for improvement, and the strategies they found most helpful before, during, and after reading
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 reading into nature journaling. Students can partner up, exchange their journals and read what each other has observed.
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.
E-BOOKS - Through PDSB BYOD
<<<Click the Library icon to go directly to the site.
To navigate there yourself:
Login to your PDSB student BYOD portal at byod.peelschools.org
Go to the Library icon
If you are looking for apps that will help with research here are a few we recommend:
Pebble Go
Pebble Go Next
The Canadian Encyclopedia
Britannica Online Encyclopedia
Also, check out the "Other Resources" section for even more options
If you are looking for storybooks here are a few we recommend:
Bookflix
AV2 World Languages
Your teacher may also have the class assigned to Raz-Kids. Be sure to ask them and they will be able to provide you with the correct logins.
E-BOOKS - Multi-Language
<<<Click the AV2 World Languages icon to go directly to the site.
To navigate there yourself:
Login to your PDSB student BYOD portal at byod.peelschools.org
Go to the Library icon
Select the correct reading level (Primary/Junior or Intermediate/Secondary)
Select the AV2 World Languages icon
Select a topic/book
Select a language (English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian, Mandarin, German, Hindi, Korean, and/or Tagalog)
ENJOY!
Final Thoughts:
What was a hurdle to researching the Group of Seven artists? What did you do to overcome these hurdles?
Curriculum Links:
See Visual Arts
Group of SevenGroup 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.
Discover some of the different art pieces from each artist using your research skills on the internet or within the public library.
2. Pick two different artists that appeal to you from the article. Research, read, and clarify the biographies of these two people.
How was their path to being an artist in the group of seven similar or different?
Did they start painting in Canada or did they have other experiences to draw upon in their work?
What part of their experience can you relate to in your life experiences?
Public Service Announcement (PSA)
This activity requires the student to do some online research. They can use E-books through PDSB BYOD or other sources.
Research, read and summarize PSAs:
Create a summary of other PSA messages and the best language to connect with the audience including the style - dramatic, ironic, metaphorical
Have a conversation with a partner about other PSAs as well as the structure of the messages - introduction, content, conclusion
How will your experiences or observations affect the message of your PSA?
Curriculum Links:
See Writing
See Media Literacy