4th Grade Crew // Field Work

The 4th grade crew at Detroit Achievement Academy started this school year by studying poetry and investigating what inspires poets to write poetry. After looking at examples of famous poets and what inspired them, it was time for the 4th grade crew to become poets -- however, they needed some inspiration! This is where field work comes in. 

Field work is an extremely important part of our curriculum at Detroit Achievement Academy. It allows our students to have hand-on experiences to make meaning of what they learn in the classroom, and allows the curriculum to become more authentic to our students and our community. 

This year, we are lucky to be partnered with Detroit Audubon’s BIRDS (Building Informed and Resourceful Detroit Stewards) program, which works to connect young people to birds and their habitats while opening their eyes, minds, and hearts to the importance of diverse natural areas within the city of Detroit. Our first trip with BIRDS took the 4th grade crew to Rouge Park. While exploring Rouge Park, students journaled about their sensory experiences and the impact that being in nature made on them. This rich sensory experience provided the perfect inspiration for the crew’s poems! 

Back at school, students looked through their notes and reflected on their experience to write poetry about nature and the importance of spending time in nature. As students began to write their poems, our field work gave students a very concrete experience to reflect on for inspiration. The hands on experience pushed students to include vivid details and sensory imagery in their poems. Field work will always be an essential part of our module work at DAA!