Comments on: Treeline Habitat http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/09/21/treeline-habitat/ (bôr'dər-lănd') n. Located on or near a frontier. An indeterminate area or condition. Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:18:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Kimberly http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/09/21/treeline-habitat/#comment-51638 Kimberly Sat, 29 Sep 2007 15:26:09 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/09/21/treeline-habitat/#comment-51638 Wow, what a great experience for your kids. Wow, what a great experience for your kids.

]]> By: Doug Noon http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/09/21/treeline-habitat/#comment-50998 Doug Noon Sat, 22 Sep 2007 16:17:19 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/09/21/treeline-habitat/#comment-50998 I'm teaching science like I teach reading - reading the country, reading the physical world - so the comparison to reading a river is a good one. We need to have the big picture first in order for the details to have meaning because we need some way to organize them. After we learn to recognize patterns in nature, we don't see it the way we did before. Our perceptions are more focused, and we make finer distinctions. The plant biologist we're working with told me that before he began his studies, all grass was the same to him. Now, he can't look at the ground without seeing different kinds of grasses. I’m teaching science like I teach reading - reading the country, reading the physical world - so the comparison to reading a river is a good one. We need to have the big picture first in order for the details to have meaning because we need some way to organize them.

After we learn to recognize patterns in nature, we don’t see it the way we did before. Our perceptions are more focused, and we make finer distinctions. The plant biologist we’re working with told me that before he began his studies, all grass was the same to him. Now, he can’t look at the ground without seeing different kinds of grasses.

]]> By: Peggy Swann http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/09/21/treeline-habitat/#comment-50994 Peggy Swann Sat, 22 Sep 2007 15:44:29 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/09/21/treeline-habitat/#comment-50994 Great blog, Doug. Yes, context really matters. When I took up whitewater paddling ten years ago, I had to learn how to "read the water." That made absolutely no sense to me at the time. C'mon, let's just get in this boat and go! My teachers helped me see the patterns I needed to know to get down the river. Reading helped me see how to move with, not against, the water. From helplessly going in circles (literally!), I could move up and downstream, ferry back and forth, and even come to a full stop without falling out of my boat (most of the time). Great blog, Doug.

Yes, context really matters.

When I took up whitewater paddling ten years ago, I had to learn how to “read the water.” That made absolutely no sense to me at the time. C’mon, let’s just get in this boat and go!

My teachers helped me see the patterns I needed to know to get down the river. Reading helped me see how to move with, not against, the water.

From helplessly going in circles (literally!), I could move up and downstream, ferry back and forth, and even come to a full stop without falling out of my boat (most of the time).

]]> By: Wesley Fryer http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/09/21/treeline-habitat/#comment-50986 Wesley Fryer Sat, 22 Sep 2007 13:52:23 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/09/21/treeline-habitat/#comment-50986 Doug: I was just sharing the story this past week of my own 6th grade teacher who took our class on a half-day field trip hiking just outside our town. That day made lasting memories for me. Your students are fortunate to have you as their teacher. Learning experiences like the one you've described develop lasting background knowledge, which we certainly need in greater supply in schools. Doug: I was just sharing the story this past week of my own 6th grade teacher who took our class on a half-day field trip hiking just outside our town. That day made lasting memories for me. Your students are fortunate to have you as their teacher. Learning experiences like the one you’ve described develop lasting background knowledge, which we certainly need in greater supply in schools.

]]> By: Michaele http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/09/21/treeline-habitat/#comment-50979 Michaele Sat, 22 Sep 2007 11:50:34 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2007/09/21/treeline-habitat/#comment-50979 ...and then you go and make me homesick. Nice going Doug. :) …and then you go and make me homesick. Nice going Doug.

:)

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