Reading this paper at first I thought the idea of nature journaling in central park absurd, but it makes sense. The plants there are very real and alive and go through similar cycles as those in the wild. I had never before thought of all the creatures that must be loving in Central Park - I have this image in my mind of it being a sterile place. Static and unchanging. But of course it does change! And there must be animals there! It made me want to go back to Central Park to really see and experience it with all my senses.
UBC is largely the same. Landscaped and planted; carefully groomed and maintained. Sitting with a plant here, I do feel like it is something static and unchanging. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can find.
I wonder how junior high school students would take to this kind of activity. I agree that those who did it would get incredibly rich and very personal experiences from the opportunity to just spend time being and experiencing in nature. But how much would they fight it? Would they take to it like little kids do, or would some of them completely miss the point? And how can we scaffold them to be sure they understand that it is important?
I think class warmup activities outside would be required first, like the soundscaping activity. I especially like that this is a form of mindfulness training for young students who clearly need it. They need to get to know how to experience their surroundings and how they feel within them.
UBC is largely the same. Landscaped and planted; carefully groomed and maintained. Sitting with a plant here, I do feel like it is something static and unchanging. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can find.
I wonder how junior high school students would take to this kind of activity. I agree that those who did it would get incredibly rich and very personal experiences from the opportunity to just spend time being and experiencing in nature. But how much would they fight it? Would they take to it like little kids do, or would some of them completely miss the point? And how can we scaffold them to be sure they understand that it is important?
I think class warmup activities outside would be required first, like the soundscaping activity. I especially like that this is a form of mindfulness training for young students who clearly need it. They need to get to know how to experience their surroundings and how they feel within them.
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