Challenge Activities- Night Letters

Day 1:

What words are used to describe the weather?

1. Listen to or watch a weather report and make a list of words the weather person        

uses to describe types of weather or to predict what the weather will be like.

http://www.wptz.com/weather/grid.html

Day 2:

What careers can you pursue if you want to work with and observe nature?

1. List four careers involving work with observing or conserving nature.

http://www.natureslist.org/

http://www.cyber-sierra.com/nrjobs/natres.html

Day 3:

What kinds of animals live near you?  What can you find out about them by observing them or finding their tracks?

1. Make an observation chart of  a few local animals
2. Make a list of categories of observation, such as time, location, what tracks look like, and what kind of animal or bird.
3. Look for animals and then compare notes with one another after a week.

Day 4:

How is a journal different from expository nonfiction?  How can reading a journal help you or someone else become a better writer?

      1.  Compare a journal entry of animal or weather observation with a nonfiction    

            selection about nature.

      2.  Use a compare and contrast graphic organizer to decide ways the two genres are

            alike and different.  Think about how each selection is organized, what it tells

about nature, and whether it includes facts, real events, drawings, or other visuals.

Journal

http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=journal

Expository nonfictionhttp://www.smbsd.org/uploaded/reading/files/Third_grade_reading/Expository_Nonfiction.pdf

Day 5:

What can you learn or enjoy as a result of observing nature?

1. Find examples of poems, journals, articles, and stories about nature.
2. Choose a genre and write something you have learned about nature.
3. Draw illustrations and publish your writings to share with the class.