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Uninhabited In
this segment of Understanding our Heritage, grade two and three
students were involved in exploring their community of Millarville from
a different perspective. They were asked to shed their human experience
and view the development of the area from the perspective of the land.
In order to develop
an awareness of the land from a different perspective, students began
to visit the land. On the hillside above our school, we were able to go
to a location where our view was unencumbered by any visible signs of
civilization. Students positioned themselves in their own private spot
and tried to "become" a part of the landscape. They tried to
write from the perspective of a certain object; tree, rock, grass, whatever
they chose. They wrote about what they saw, heard, and felt. They began
their journey through time before there were any inhabitants in this area,
before exploration, before native people had taken up residence. "Voices
of the Land"
This is My
Home
by Ben, Grade 2
It's lonely
and chilly standing here, especially in the winter. There is a pokey
tree next to me and on the windy days it really hurts because it takes
my branches off. There are lots of other trees but not very close to
me. There is an empty space in front of me. I am looking over the treetops
and into the blue sky and it is very beautiful, especially at sunset
and at sunrise. There is a gopher living where my roots are with little
babies and sometimes they come out and they are very cute. Sometimes
there are wild horses that graze in the grass and deer eat my leaves,
but I don't mind. Sometimes the deer have babies and they come and lick
me. I hear the sound of the birds but the crows peck me. The bear scratches
my bark, the bald eagles perch on my branches. This is my home.
I Felt Cold, Alone and Free
by Melissa, Grade 3
I felt cold, alone and free.
I felt like a wild animal. An elk group was coming up after traveling
a long way. The grass and trees were scratching me on my side. It felt
like the trees were watching me. I felt the grass, it was rough. It felt
like I was in a picture like a painted past. The wind blowing on me softly.
The Wilderness
by Isaac, Grade 2
I saw different shaped clouds
in the blue sky. Some are shaped like deer. Pokey, soft, gray mice were
crawling over me. There were birds whistling. It was a sunny, warm, day
with a warm breeze. There were tracks in the trees. It was comfortable
with the brown, sweet smelling wet grass. I was in the wilderness.
Peaceful
and Safe
by Montana, Grade 3
I felt really
peaceful and safe and free. Around me there are trees, leaves, grass,
prickles, sticks. Above me there are sky and clouds. I saw a graceful
bird in the big blue sky. I felt a big pokey tree behind me and I felt
a bitter cold on my leaf as a snowflake just began to fall. There was
a cougar running across a field. It made me feel free and dreamy. I felt
like something was watching me. It made me feel aware. I would like the
land to always stay the same because it is free. It is cozy, warm and
welcoming. |
