E.C.O.: Exploring One Small Square of the Forest

Last week, I read aloud part of the book, One Small Square: Woods by Donald Silver and Patricia Wynne.  We discussed the exciting changes in the forest in autumn, learning about why leaves change color and fall from trees.  We also talked about the types of things that people could find if they examine one small square of space in a forest.

On Tuesday, we asked students to work with a partner or small group to find 4 sticks that were approximately 4 feet long.  With their partners, they used the sticks to mark a small square in the forest.  Next, we stepped back from our squares to make observations from a distance.  Then, we started to explore our squares.  Students used magnifying lenses to take an even closer look at objects in their squares.  We found ferns, trees (live, dead, and decomposing), insects, woodpecker holes, mushrooms, worms, and lots of leaves.  Students recorded their observations through drawing and writing, which they later used to help them write a "small moment" narrative in their E.C.O. journals about this experience.  Ask your student about what he/she found in his/her small square.