Writing Earth Science
Earth science is more than measurements, maps, charts, and graphs. The language of geoscience, full of unique poetry, offers another avenue to understanding. Offer students a chance to flex their writing muscles in the context of Earth science.
Grade Level: K-12 Safety
Wear sunscreen if outside for an extended period. Wear sunglasses on a sunny day. Be aware of the weather, and check for ticks after returning to the classroom.
Materials
- Lined paper, preferably in a hardback notebook
- Pen or pencil
Procedure
- Find a comfortable spot outdoors, whether far from school or right outside your classroom, and observe the natural world. Can you see earth — and is there anything living in it? Can you hear moving water? Can you feel a dry breeze?
- Write a poem describing the natural world where you are. Include as many sensory details as possible. What can you see in the sky, feel in the ground, smell on the earth, taste in the air, hear all around?
- Connect these observations with what you’ve learned about Earth science in the classroom. What is the history of this landscape? How did these landforms and organisms come to be? Where and when will the story of these natural materials, forces, and processes continue?
- If time permits, use your first draft as a starting point for further investigation and research. Maybe study the local geology or search the Web for information on the history of industry in the area. Write a second draft, adding depth to your first impressions with these new understandings.
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