Looking Closely
Last week, we kicked off our Everything Has A Purpose expedition focused on ecosystems. We started by building eco-columns (self-sustaining ecosystems inside recycled soda bottles) and charting our noticings and wonderings.
Later on in the week, we walked to Cheese Ranch where students had the opportunity to observe their surroundings as scientists. They sketched what they saw while charting their noticings and wonderings in their Expedition notebooks.
Following our first field work experience, we read Zoom by Istvan Banyai and talked about the importance of looking closely. Students drew a sketch of a pencil, a tool they use every day, then looked closely and sketched the pencil again. They were surprised to see how differently this tool appeared as they observed and sketched as scientists.
Students shared how they plan to use this new learning as we go back to Cheese Ranch next week. Many shared how they plan to focus in on the small details, as well as keeping the big picture in perspective.
We are continuing to learn important information about ecosystems, specifically how living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) things interact within an ecosystem. Students will have the opportunity to explore various types of ecosystems as we travel to the Backcountry Wilderness Area next month.
Later on in the week, we walked to Cheese Ranch where students had the opportunity to observe their surroundings as scientists. They sketched what they saw while charting their noticings and wonderings in their Expedition notebooks.
Following our first field work experience, we read Zoom by Istvan Banyai and talked about the importance of looking closely. Students drew a sketch of a pencil, a tool they use every day, then looked closely and sketched the pencil again. They were surprised to see how differently this tool appeared as they observed and sketched as scientists.
Students shared how they plan to use this new learning as we go back to Cheese Ranch next week. Many shared how they plan to focus in on the small details, as well as keeping the big picture in perspective.
We are continuing to learn important information about ecosystems, specifically how living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) things interact within an ecosystem. Students will have the opportunity to explore various types of ecosystems as we travel to the Backcountry Wilderness Area next month.
