PROGRAMME CONNECTIONS: EXPRESSIVE LANGUAGE

STUDENT CONNECTS (expressive written language):

To the teacher: Following are samples of expressive written language taken from participant log books as they experience connections in local urban wilderness settings. Expressive language, whether written or spoken is "close to the speaker and can be best understood by the listener who shares in the activity of the speaker... (expressive language) is that which we draft most of our important ideas ... most of the important things that there are in the world were probably first discussed in expressive speech with somebody who was in the context." (James Briton, "Writing to learn and learning to write."1982, p.97)

“Going into the woodlot for me is like going to explore a whole new world... known as Eden Woods Park...there is always something happening like...small animals scurrying around, birds tweeting, and classes working hard to restore it from the abuse it has been through.” (gr.7 student, Edenwood M.S., Eden Woods restoration programme 2002)

“I think that what we’ve done won’t really directly help the creek but will hopefully pave the way for future creek related projects, and hopefully in cooperation with the City of Mississauga, the quality of (Sawmill Creek) and area will be dealt with.” (gr.10 Woodlands S.S. student, water quality monitoring of Sawmill Creek, 2004)

“I think it is pretty cool that we have this important Wetland so near our schools and houses so we can learn a lot about the environment.” (gr.6 Fallingbrook M.S. student, Creditview Wetland stewardship programme, 2006)

“The day when the cloud was gray and it was like polluted air. The grade sixes went to the protected bog to plant trees all around it. As (for) myself, the excitement was jumping in my heart and nothing could stop that.” (gr. 6 Fallingbrook student, stewardship of Creditview Wetland, Oct. 2007)

“Today we went sauntering it was sooo fun because we heard lots of animals like birds frogs geese and soo much more. It was also fun because we saw 5 garter snakes and I touched them. That was soo cool. It was chilly outside. But it was ok.” (gr.6 Fallingbrook M.S. young ecologist's log report, Creditview Wetland Excursions, April 18, 2008).