WOOSH

WOOSHES are one of Christy’s favorite teaching tools.  Christy has used WOOSHES to demonstrate geography, historical moments, or scientific explanations; it is an active way engage students in a story or concept.  Students sit in a big circle and take turns going to the middle to act out the lesson.  When Christy says “WOOSH” students return to their spot.  An example is listed below.  The text in bold is what students would repeat.  I have added vocabulary words a 3rd grade teacher wanted to focus on (extreme, spectacular, attracts, region, transport).  The unit they were focused on was National Parks.

One day, my family (the first group of students) said “We’re going to go to Alaska to Denali National Park!”  and we all cheered!  Cheering.  We asked a Park Ranger (another student joins) “Can we drive in?”  The Park Ranger looked very serious and said “The only mode of transport allowed is the official Park bus”  The Park Ranger looked left, and right, and leaned in to whisper If you want the most spectacular views, sit behind the driver on the way out.  You’ll see all sorts of amazing animals and views!”

WOOSH

Our family climbed aboard the bus (as many students as you like can join, sitting two by two as if they were on a bus).  We all said “Look at the mountains!  This region has the highest mountains in North America!  We can see Denali, which means the Great One.  It’s the highest peak at 20,000 feet!”  We all got our binoculars out to look for animals.

WOOSH Add children as tourists on the bus.  The Park Ranger asked “What can you see through your binoculars?  If you look to the left side of the bus, you can see caribou crossing the river.  (add children crossing the “river” as caribou) Look at the caribou. “OOOOooooOOOO!  AHHHHHHHHH!  MMMmmmMMMM!”  WOOSH CARIBOU.  Our bus driver told us “The two million acres of Denali National park attracts 39 species of mammals and 169 species of birds.”  We all nodded our heads and looked impressed (more animals can be added to the WOOSH).

WOOSH

(Add students as bus passengers and bus driver)  Then the bus driver slammed on his brakes and we all jerked forward to a stop.  We couldn’t believe our eyes.  There was a bear (add student) chasing another bear (add student) and it hid behind our bus!  WOOSH BEARS We couldn’t believe it and said “We didn’t know the wildlife in Alaska could be so extreme!”  The bus driver laughed and said “It’s Alaska, you never know what you’re going to see.”  We took out our phones and took pictures from the safety of the bus.  The bus driver said “Alright folks, it’s time to head back.  We’re not going the whole 43 miles into the park, you’ll have to come back for that another day.”  We all clapped for our bus driver as they turned around and our adventure came to a close.  At least, for that day.