Idaho City Day
Submitted by Amber Powers on Tue, 2016-07-12 00:00
Today we are in Idaho City enjoying the wonderful weather. First thing after our breakfast we went on a bird watching adventure with Gary Worthintonn. He pointed out to us a the many indigenous birds such as the Yellow Warbler, the cat bird, the sandpiper, and a Hammond Fly Catchers nest with baby birds. It was amazing to see and hear the different variety of color and calls. It made me realize, again, how much we don't pay attention to in our natural world.
My goal in the art classroom is to help students become more aware of their surroundings. To slow down and allow themselves to really see details. Which details are important? What do we want to focus on? Contour line drawing (a slow meticulous type of drawing where artists focus on the edges of an object) is a great way to help students slow down and notice new qualities and details in the environment.
Digi Learners - What are some ways you can help your students slow down and heighten their awareness in your classroom?
Comments
Hi Amber,
Hi Amber,
I think that a lot of us go through our day so fast and focused that we don't pay attention to our natural world. I like what you said about getting you students to be more aware of their surroundings.
I was trying to figure out how I could do this in one of my fitness classes. I think one way would to do exactly what you all did today and go on something as simple as a group walk. We could use whats around us such as rocks, sidewalks, grass, etc. to do exercises. We could also point our things we see in nature could be the muscle group we work on or how many of something we do or take away from some things we do.
I could also put them in groups and make a game out of a nature walk. Groups could have a list of items or things in their surroundings they are looking for, they must take a picture with the whole group and the item. The first group back with the most "items" would wins.
LOVE IT
I love this idea! It would be greate to then later use those photographs for a art piece or to use them in a way to inspire other students. This could connect to science experiments, writing opportunities and much more I'm sure! Cool!
Nature Walks
In my classroom I do nature walks as a way of getting students outside. I have learned to give them a specific task and some extra time to just relax and think. My students like getting out so much many of them will ask if we can go outside to just work on assingments. They say it helps them focus.
Nature Walks
What a wonderful thing. A student teacher told us this year that most prisoners spend more time outside than our students. Video games, phones, technology have taken away the desire for "playing outside." I'm going to do this too!
Balance
We were just discussing this techology phenomenon a few minutes ago! It is so important that we help students strike a balance between "screen time" and outside time. If students cannot get away from their devices it effects their memory, their engagment, and overall well-being. I'm so glad you plan to do this. I hope the Nature Walk/ Nature Time can catch on.
Awareness
I love the idea of using awareness in the classroom. I feel that I am always so busy ( and frantically) covering the curriculum that I miss some of the meaningful things. Thanks!
Me too.
I have difficultly with this too. I think that I have to try and remember on my own time to try and slow down and pay attention. Just allowing myself to sit still and observie something in nature can meditative....and people are saying more and more that we need that in our lives. If I can do that.....I hope it will help me convey that to students. It's a worth-it experiemnet!