Walk, think and write
Authors and poets often write outside. You can do these activities on the spot with a notebook or clipboard or back indoors while the memories are still fresh.
My Big List Poem
- Using a blank piece of paper, draw around your hand.
- Fill the inside by writing all the words you used to describe your feelings about being outside like the colours, sounds and memories.
- What’s the word or line that stands out most for you?
- Make that the first line or word for a poem.
- Use all the other words and descriptions to help you make the rest of a poem.
- Read it to someone and say it proudly!
Who Lives Here?
Think about one area in the woods, park or green space that you visited. Use your imagination to begin some wild storytelling.
Think about:
- what sort of story you'll tell or write, for example an adventure, a fairy tale, a mystery
- what sort of characters might live there
- if they're friendly or unfriendly
- where exactly they would make their homes
- if they come out in the day or at night
- where your story starts
Take it in turns to build a tale about where you’ve been today or write it down to share with someone later.
A Nature Journal
This is a brilliant way to see how each day in the outdoors changes and to chart our feelings and emotions, thoughts and memories.
- start by adding the date and time at the top of the page
- write down the weather conditions outside
- draw a quick picture or take a photo to include in your journal entry
- collect any flowers or leaves you may want to press into the journal
- use all your five senses to describe the setting
- what do you feel at this moment in time and what kind of taste do you have in your mouth?
How often will you write in the journal? Can you try every day for a week, a month, the whole school holidays?
Look back at entries as you go and you can compare how each day changed.