Abstract
This chapter is basically a how-to guide for taking students on overnight camping trips. Wormeli discusses the importance of getting students outside: there is always something new to learn. He believes that there are two things that make being outside worthwhile. First, students grow physically, emotionally, and intellectually. Students who spend more time learning outside feel like they have more control over their lives. Second, personal autonomy increases. Students will be more likely to tend to daily chores without being asked. Also, it creates a sense of gender equality when both boys and girls are participating in the same activities, it becomes easier to ignore the illusion of gender roles in our society. Next, Wormeli provides the reader with a number of different activities that could be done during an overnight camping trip. These activities include learning how to use math in nature, how to use a compass, how to survive in nature, how to write about nature, and many more. Finally, Wormeli gives the reader some ideas in how to convince the parents and also provides a list of things to keep in mind while planning the trip itself.
Reflection
Personally, I think it is a great idea to get kids outside and learning in a very different way than what they are used to in the classroom. Students are still learning and it is possible to integrate core knowledge like measuring, writing, and the like. Students may feel that it is less like school and more fun. Being an English major, I really enjoyed the ideas for writing outdoors. There is a great list of writing prompts about nature. This provides students with a more real-world inspiration and it is also giving them practice with the writing process (prewriting, drafting, and sharing). Also, I think it is very important that Wormeli gave advice for convincing parents. Sometimes it is hard to make such a fun trip also sound educational and meaningful.
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