Mr. SWICK
|
|
Student Essays
Tim MayResearch gives you a new outlook on life. Inspiration is needed to perform such duties. View the materials thoroughly. Enjoy your work, make it fun! Relax and enjoy your OUTSIDE, remember. Studying your critters, makes life a whole lot easier, at least in the classroom. Togetherness goes a long way. Utilize your time wisely. Determine FACTORS. Intact, keep yourself in focus. Energized. Never be lazy in the field. Success = KNOWLEDGE. Phil Jackson A heightened awareness level is what I would call it, I guess. As a 2nd year ForestWatcher, I felt two steps ahead of the majority of the class. Most of my classmates can only comment on this years enrollment, but this will be the second under my belt
The first year opened my eyes. I saw that there was more to forests that just a lot of trees. Also I found a second home on the river, where I've found myself often in the past year. From this second year I have received so much more. Without having to learn new procedures not only could my eyes be opened, but they could see. I saw much more than just trees on my transect. There were sugar maples, white oaks and basswoods. As corny as it may seem, my accomplishment of this term was the new sense of touch I have acquired. This type of touching is different than the normal. Now when I'm in the forest and I rest myself against a tree, I don't just feel safe from falling and breaking every bone in my body; I feel the history. The tree tells me the history of the forest and the surrounding wildlife. And I like that. It's different. So, Mr. Swick on a personal note from me to you. If you really want your students to respect the forest and to do what they can to protect it, they need to FEEL IT. That means spending more time in it. So, I highly recommend taking the course over! It did wonders for me the second time around. Thanks for opening my eyes to something 'cause you're the only teacher who ever has. Jason Meier I chose to write an essay, because this was the best way I could show how I've grown in this class. I have learned so much I don't know where to begin.
In the beginning, we took a walk down to the river to get aquatinted with it. On the way, Mr. Swick showed us various trees and plants we would also encounter in ForestWatch. Later we learned about the history of ecological monitoring. It was interesting to learn the history of what we were doing in class. Then we moved on to learning how to key out trees by their leaves. I found out how easy it is and I find myself looking at trees more when I'm in Wisconsin. I usually can identify them and find them more interesting. Next, we moved on to biodiversity. It was cool to learn about how diverse Illinois is. Then we moved on to ForestWatch. The first time we went out to Beverly Lake, I thought ForestWatch was gonna suck; but I really got into it. I enjoyed it very much. What made it worthwhile is that the data we collected is going to be used by real scientists. After ForestWatch was over, we focused on our trip to the Morton Arboretum and the DuPage Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. It was cool to see where animals go to get well after they are hurt and sick. The best thing about the Arboretum was seeing non-native trees and plants. I can't forget the "Big Rock". The end of the term was the best part of this class. Making the ForestWatch video was so much fun. I usually hate acting, but I was so glad to have a major part in it. I feel the best part of this class was the canoe trip. I have never had so much fun in one class on one field trip. It was such a fun peaceful time to get close to the river. I wish the trip was all day. The worst thing about this class is saying good-bye. I am sad that this class is ending. This is the best class I have ever taken in High School. I made friends with some new cool people. All of my classmates were great. I really am going to miss this class. |
Mr. Swick • Environmental Science •
Dundee-Crown High School •
Carpentersville, Illinois
http//www.centerkey.com/swick 
|
