Thursday, March 6, 2014

SOL # 6 Tracks in the snow and an erasure poem

This morning my dog and I went outside to help my husband unload his truck. Everything is still snow and ice covered but my dog wanted to explore. She took off with her nose to the snow. I heard the sound of crunching snow under her paws as she sprinted toward the woods. Nothing I could do except follow her. I was glad I had put on a heavy, hooded sweatshirt and gloves. I could not believe all the perfect sets of tracks I saw on our path. I recognized those made by a rabbit, the neighbor's cat and my dog. Other tiny tracks made me wonder what made them. I wished for my phone to take pictures. Alas, I only have my memory. One set of patterned tracks made an X in the snow. I wondered what made the animal turn around and cross back over the path. I could see another set of tracks, dragging something behind, a tail? I saw various sets of tracks that I had not seen so close to our buildings. Tracks I could not see on the ground. Lots of activity was happening without my knowledge. The only way to discover the activity would be to explore at night. If I move stealthily, I might see some critters and learn about their habitual activity.

Snow and ice covered
Sound of crunching snow
Perfect sets of tracks
Tiny tracks
Patterned tracks made an X 
Tracks dragging something behind
Lots of activity
At night
Move stealthily
Habitual activity


11 comments:

  1. I have been noticing more rabbit and even cat tracks in the snow at our house. I wish I could see the animals jumping around! I like your erasure poem - you're right, easy peasy! Something to try.

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  2. Christina,
    Thank you for your comments.

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  3. I love this idea! What a fantastic way to focus on descriptive words and phrases. I love to write poetry with my kids but I have never tried this idea. We are currently in the middle of a poetry unit so I am definitely going to try this idea. I think they will love it. I'm so glad that you shared this idea!

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    1. You made my day, thank you. I think your students will have fun. I would live to know how it turns out.

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  4. Two posts in one. Start with a narrative, then find the text to create the poem. Nice. Aren't tracks in the snow the most fun to discover? Lucky you to recognize some of the patterns. I just look and wonder.

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    1. Someone else did this yesterday and I loved it. I have a cool book about tracks. I work with the conservation department and teach kids about nature. I use a fun activity about it too.

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  5. Except for deer and squirrel tracks I have no idea what has left the tracks in the snow. I love the idea of the erasure poem. I plan to try it. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I'm happy you are going to use it. Hope your students have fun.

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  6. I love this poem form. This will be great to try with the kids. It is so much fun to see tracks and guess what they are. Great post!

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  7. I don't have any schema about this type of poem, but it's so unique. It was fun to read your narrative and see how just a few words could bring about so much explanation. Great slice!

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