Creature From Wolf Lake

Class Description:

Students will be presented with a ficticious adventure scenario, about an attack by a "creature" while visiting Wolf Lake. Using a "secret photo" that was taken of the beast, they will begin to write a descriptive paragraph. Halfway through the time alloted, the picture will disappear, and the description will have to be written from memory. Descriptions will be passed to other groups who will then make a drawing of the "Creature From Wolf Lake". Finally, a comparison between the original photo and the drawing will emphasize the importance of skills, such as concentration, observation, and communciation.

Total time: 1 hours (indoors)
Audience: 6-20 students, 4th grade through adult
Activity level: easy
Travel: none
Total uphill travel: none

Outcomes

Upon completion of the Creature From Wolf Lake evening activity students will be able to:

Write a detailed description of an organism from memory.

Draw a picture of an organism from a description.

Describe the importance of honing observation skills.

Give examples of miscommunication and its ramifications.

Minnesota Graduation Standards

The Creature From Wolf Lake evening activity will provide students with guided practice, in an authentic setting, to support the following Graduations Standards. We have chosen one to three “major focus” standards per grade level. Due to the holistic nature of environmental education, several other standards, not listed here, are addressed as well.

6-8th Inquiry M.1 Direct Observation
Dec. 1b Collect and record data
Dec. 1c Display data in appropriate format
Add 2 Students may work independently or in groups.

4-5th Writing and Speaking I.1 Writing
Dec.1 Write a story based on direct experience and observation.
Dec.3 Edit finished products for correct mechanics and spelling.

Wolf Ridge Curriculum Concepts

• If you can imagine it, nature has done it.
• Everything in nature has intrinsic value which may be beyond our understanding.
• Developing group interaction skills will improve our responses to future life situations
  

Classroom Connections*

• Journal page download
• Pre-visit activities
• Post-visit activities
• Links to Creature From Wolf Lake information and activities on the web

*requires Wolf Ridge password