What's included
1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
1 hour per week. Students are encouraged to identify nature local to their individual areas. This can be done virtually if actual in-person access to the natural environment is limited or not possible. The time it takes depends on how involved the student chooses to be. I estimate that this investigation would take no more than 45 minutes to an hour each week the student chooses to attend this class.Assessment
As this is an ongoing class, learners will be assessed informally through my observation and by their participation during individual weekly sessions.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 7
Students will read a nature-based poem in this ongoing class and then study related aspects of nature: seasons, wildflowers, moon phases, insects, animals, and more. The nature poems we read will be both classic and modern. Topics include the following: 2022 Week of Sept. 12: Harvest Week of Sept. 19: Changes in Nature From Summer to Fall (Autumn) Week of Sept. 26: Apples Week of Oct. 3: Wind Week of Oct. 10: Spiders Week of Oct. 17: Moon Phases Week of Oct. 24: Bats Week of Oct. 31: Pumpkins Week of Nov. 7: Time Change Week of Nov. 14: Tree Identification Week of Nov. 21: Cloud Types Week of Nov. 28: Hibernation Week of Dec. 5: Snow Week of Dec. 12: Evergreen Trees Week of Dec. 19: Winter Solstice **Weeks of Dec. 26 & Jan. 2** HOLIDAY BREAK: NO CLASS MEETINGS 2023 Week of Jan. 9: Squirrels & Mice Week of Jan. 16: Owls Each session will be opened by my reading a poem about nature. I will then ask students questions about the poem to assess their understanding of the poem, and I will also ask questions that help me gauge their prior knowledge of the nature topic we will be studying during that session. I will give a mini-biography of each poet we study. We will then have lessons about the nature subject of the week. I encourage student input and engagement with both me and other students. I ask the class questions before reading or introducing material to gauge their interest and to see how familiar they are with the topic. I am passionate about poetry and nature study, and I believe this excitement will show and motivate the students to be passionate about learning the material. My goals are to teach students about the natural world at large and also show them how to discover and learn more about the natural environments in their own areas and locations. At the same time, I will be broadening their experiences with nature-related poems and introducing them to or reacquainting them with various poets. I will read poems, ask questions about the poem and the nature topic, and then lecture as I share slides, video clips, and photographs of nature. Some of the nature photos I will use are ones I have personally taken. The rest of the class time will be spent on activities and discussions centered on the nature subject of the week. Some examples of activities are identifying wildflowers in your area. Other activities will be more generalized, such as looking at and naming moon phases. Some activities will be completed during class time; others will involve some work outside of class. If you do not have any or very much exposure to nature in your current location, then this class will still be a good fit. I have activities for those who have limited access to nature. This class is suitable for beginners of nature study, seasoned naturalists, and everyone in between.
Learning Goals
Students will grow in their knowledge of the natural world and also study poems about nature.
Other Details
Supply List
Pencils, notebooks **Colored pencils, **sketchbook (**Optional - for students who want to sketch/draw flowers, insects, moon phases, etc.) I will supply any other needed materials.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in English from Southern New Hampshire University
I am a published writer and a certified teacher. My book, a collection of poetry, is titled "Mountains and Melancholy." I am also a former co-author of a blog on a health-related website. My love for poetry goes back to my second-grade year of school. This is when a wonderful teacher taught me the beauty of words written in lyrical, enchanting form. My enjoyment of the natural world goes back as far as I can remember. I've always lived in areas surrounded by nature and had ample opportunities for exploring the natural environment. I have taught in the public school realm, the homeschooling realm (which I am still doing), and at local homeschool co-ops. I have also taught nature study and poetry workshops for adults. I am excited about pairing poetry and nature and look forward to exploring both with students.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$16
weekly1x per week
45 min
Completed by 29 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-13
2-8 learners per class
This class is no longer offered
Financial Assistance
Tutoring
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