I’m thinking of a happy meadow
Today in class I really liked the visualization that Mat did as a pre-write activity. It really helped me get mentally prepared for our writing assignment and get my mind ready to engage in creativity.
When I was thinking about my meadow, I was imagining a place in Yellowstone Park with lots of wild flowers, small sage brush and rocks scattered around. Some of these rocks were of the size that could be sat on. It was a comfortable and peaceful place with birds and insects flying about and possibly some wildlife off in the distance to gaze at.
As we were doing this mental imagery I was thinking of if I could do this as a writing prompt with my third grade students this coming school year. I was contemplating if I could have the students provide mental imagery and quiet meditation prior to engaging in writing assignments. I was speculating as to if this would enable them to write in a more effective manner. I really think it would be an excellent tool. I think I’m going to try it with my students and examine the results of the process. I think it would take a little practice, but I can definitely see the benefits of practicing and re-practicing the process in order to accomplish boundless results.
I think connecting students to their environment can be created in this process of mental imagery. I believe that so many of my students most likely don’t even think about the earth they live in, the community they are a part of or the neighborhood they reside in. I know that they come from a chaotic, stressful environment that needs to be bridged by their school day. I see myself as the facilitator of peaceful, meaningful experiences for my students. I love the idea of the service learning as well, to connect the students to the community in which they live, and seeing a greater good in giving back to this place we all call home. These are issues that are rolling around in my brain. I can conceptually see all of the benefits and rewards for my students and myself in this process we all call learning.
I actually did something similar to this with my kiddos this year. It was the first time I had tried it and learned a lot from the experience.
ReplyDeleteI had the kids imagine they were underwater and they got to choose what underwater sea creature they were. I then had them imagine what was going on around them. I gave them ideas to think about, like what was swimming by, what colors they saw, was there plants and so forth. But they were in control of their own imagination. I then had them draw and write about what they saw.
A few students did ok with this idea and others struggled. They weren't quite sure what to do. However, I feel that with practice they would get the hang of it. Using imagery is something you can use with younger kids. They just need experience with it. I am planning on doing this throughout the year with different imagery plots. The more exposure they have to using their creativity while also relaxing the better they can feel comfortable with it. I really think you should try it as well, maybe we can even work together to set up lessons on and prompts.
Can Roy (my gas burning weed destroyer) and myself come and visit your meadow?
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