Nature & Art Lovers Show & Tell: Conversation Club With Mystery Box Activity
Gain conversational skills and confidence in public speaking as we "show and tell" about art, books or found objects related to animals, plants, rocks and other natural objects and use reasoning skills to guess what is in a Mystery Box.
Meredith J. Berlin
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(433)
What's included
1 live meeting
20 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
US Grade Pre-Kindergarten - 1
This is a sharing and conversation club for anyone who loves nature, art and talking about common interests with friends. EACH WEEK LEARNERS WILL: 1. "Show and tell" about an object or artwork of their choice. This may be an object found in nature, a drawing, painting or sculpture based on animals, plants or natural objects, or a book or song about nature. Fellow learners may ask questions or make supportive comments if the person presenting agrees that they are comfortable with this. 2. Develop reasoning skills as they use clues to figure out what is in the instructor's "mystery box." 3. Learn and share knowledge about the item in the box. 4. Participate in open conversation inspired by the objects that were shared and the theme of the week. ABOUT THIS FORMAT AND THE INSTRUCTOR'S TEACHING STYLE: This format has been developed by the instructor in the course of three decades of teaching learners in this age group. As well as being fun, these particular activities are very inclusive, supportive and inspire vibrant, friendly conversations. The intention is to create a warm, encouraging space in which confidence will grow, common interests can be discovered and friendships can blossom. WEEKLY THEMES for the mystery box:* week of August 28, 2023: Watch out, this might sting you! week of Sept 4, 2023: Something small but mighty week of Sept 11, 2023: Something heavy week of Sept 18, 2023: Something with air inside week of Sept 25, 2023: This can roll week of Oct 2: You can find me in a tree Previous themes from 2023: Week of Jan. 9: Tall things Week of Jan. 16: In the snow Week of Jan. 23: In the night sky Week of Jan. 30: You might have to dig to find this Week of Feb. 6: Something small and mighty Week of Feb. 13: The color Red Week of Feb. 20: Using plants to make a picture Week of Feb. 27: Telling a story about animals with pictures Week of March 6: It can fly Week of March 13: Something sticky or gooey March 20 & 29 "Learners choice" April 5: Things we wear that are made from something in the natural world April 12: No class -- Instructor will be traveling PAST THEMES (2022) for the mystery box:* Week of January 3: Something very small Week of January 10: This is something you find in cold places Week of January 17: Careful, this is sharp Week of January 24: Things we can eat Week of January 31: Something very old Week of February 6: Beautiful colors Week of February 13: Celebrating friendship and symbiotic relationships Week of February 20: It comes from a tree Week of February 27: Something pink Week of March 7: Something soft Week of March 14: Something prickly Week of March 21: Something with wings Week of March 28: Rocks Week of April 4: Stripes and other patterns Week of April 11: Eggs Week of April 18: Fruit and vegetables Month of May: Learner's choice! Week of May 31: The beach Week of June 6: Things that do well in the sunshine Week of June 13: Light enough for the wind to carry Please note: There will be several weeks off during July and August due to the instructor's travel plans. For July and August there will be a color theme. Feel free to let it inspire you, or just do your own thing! July 5: Yellow July 12: Green July 19 we do not have class. July 26: Red August 2: Blue August 9: we do not have class August 16: Brown August 23: Pink or Purple Week of August 29: Something round Week of Sept. 5: Please don't step on this thing! Week of Sept. 12: Something that grows very quickly Week of September 19: Something blue Week of September 26: Something very loud Week of October 3: Something from the ocean or from a river or lake Week of October 10: Something from the forest Week of October 17: This thing can move fast Week of October 24: Games Week of October 31: Spooky or slightly scary things Week of Nov. 14: Animal Puppets Week of Nov. 21: Drawings of Plants, Animals and Minerals Week of Nov. 28: Things that jump Past themes from 2021: It comes from a tree Flower Power It travels in the air Don't step on me! The color green Delicious and beautiful Ocean creatures Things that feel rough or bumpy (I will be making a "rubbing." If your learner would like to try, please have crayons and paper and something like a leaf to put under the paper. They can always choose to do it at a later time if they don't have the supplies.) You have to listen carefully to hear this... *Please note: If learners wish to keep the theme in mind when choosing their "show and tell" item they may, but that is NOT required.
Learning Goals
Students will practice reasoning, public speaking, listening and conversational skills as they gain and share knowledge about the natural world.
Other Details
Supply List
Please bring something for "Show and Tell" time. It can be anything you want, as long as it is related to nature. It may be a piece of art (drawing, painting, sculpture or any other medium) or a book about nature or found object from nature. Optional: (only recommended for learners who have participated for at least one week ) If you wish to share the item "mystery box" style, please prepare three clues for your fellow learners, going from general to specific. For example: It is red, you can eat it, it starts with the letter A (item is an apple)
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2020
5.0
433reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Hello! My name is Meredith. My favorite thing to do is CREATE in community, and that includes collaborating with my community of learners here on Outschool. I love providing students with tools to communicate effectively and tell stories through writing, acting, movement, improvisation, drawing and design. I feel inspired as I watch their skills grow during our work together. I enjoy using my imagination and 30 years of teaching experience to plan each new class and customize the curriculum to match my students' interests and learning goals. Working in partnership with families and students is important to me, because as a parent I know how much it means to have a teacher take the time to really get to know my child and help them get the most out of an educational experience.
PLEASE NOTE: For most of July and August of 2023 I will be taking a break from teaching any live online classes. I look forward to seeing you in late August or September!
When I'm not teaching you can find me acting, directing or writing plays and books.
Some of my favorite acting roles include a monster, a fairy, a movie star and a queen.
I also like to play with my cat, draw, dance and take long walks by the lake near my home in Seattle, Washington, USA.
I grew up in New York City and received my BA at Yale College. I have performed and taught in many towns and cities in the United States. Some of my most inspiring experiences have been my years with Living Stage in Washington, DC and at Seattle Children's Theatre. I have also written a chapter book: "The Ghostlight Kids Get Hooked," an adventure that takes place backstage in a theater.
I would say the skill that most defines me as a teacher is listening carefully to what each student has to offer and weaving that into the direction a class is taking, whether that means centering a story on students' suggestions or recalibrating a lesson plan on the spot. My oldest child (now an adult) is neurodivergent, and I find that my experiences with my child and other ND students has made me a good partner for learners with a wide range of learning styles.
In addition to teaching creative drama, acting and Improv I have taught Math, Language Arts, Health Ed concepts and Science concepts to small groups of learners. I have training in trauma informed practices as well as techniques for teaching Social Emotional Learning through the Arts. I have experience leading friendship groups and community service projects.
I have been teaching for over 30 years and every day is a new, exciting adventure. I learn as much as I teach!Reviews
Live Group Class
$6
weekly1x per week
20 min
Completed by 73 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 4-7
2-6 learners per class
