Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life March Challenge
I teach science to one of my groups of gifted kids. While I think science is fascinating, I don’t feel like an expert in teaching it, so I’ve taken on a stance of discovery and inquiry.
We made nature journals to begin our study of food webs and plants. The school has an amazing garden that we visited to make observations.
Equipped with jeweler’s loupes from The Private Eye kits we ventured to the garden for “research “. I had my phone with me and enjoyed taking photos by holding the jeweler loupe up to the lens.
Back in the classroom we talked about how we can use analogies to write about something in nature.
What does a snail remind you of? We made a list:
- a snake
- green heart from Moana
- fake snail on SpingeBob
- curled up caterpillar
- spiraled spider egg
- Yin Yang symbol
- a design with swirls
- God’s eye
- a seashell
We wrote a poem from their list:
I found a snail in the garden
like a snake curled up small
or a caterpillar in a cocoon.
It looked like a spiral spider egg
or a design on wallpaper–
God’s eye?
An E all swirled around.
Reflections on the Teche 
I love everything about this post, Margaret! Taking the loupes to the garden, brainstorming similes, then creating a poem together. Thank you for sharing this magical moment with us!
I also have used “The Private Eye” and am so glad to read about your use! Good job! I love those little loupes. It seems as if science and poetry are far apart, but metaphor is a real tool in science thinking.
Love your photos. What a great idea: “I had my phone with me and enjoyed taking photos by holding the jeweler loupe up to the lens.” I have a very good jeweler loupe somewhere in my stashed science stuff. I’m going to start carrying it with me. That should help with the nature journaling/sketching I keep promising myself I will do more of! For me the only way to even have a science discuss is the “discovery and inquiry” mode. I’m so glad I dropped by here before I’m off to church this morning.
What an interesting way to approach science! Love it!!!
So funny that you wrote a post combining science and poetry. Just this morning I stumbled upon a new Heinemann podcast featuring Amy VanDerwater & 2 authors talking about connections between science & poetry. Here is the link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/heinemann-podcast/id1145532509?mt=2&i=1000405583819
This is an amazing podcast. I need to listen again!
Wow!! Those close-ups are amazing!
Nature studies provide students with so much time to notice and wonder. I love the close-up photos that provide students with a window into nature. Thanks for sharing springtime with me. Today, my hands were frozen under my gloves when we went for a beach walk. Winter is coming back again tomorrow night.
Spring will come soon. It’s a promise of the year. Hang on!
I love that you are using this approach with your students! What an excellent learning experience for all!
[…] Sunday I posted about using jeweler’s loupes with my students in science and writing poems. I felt […]