Inspired by: Where The Forest Meets The Sea - Week 2

Jeannie Baker's literature is a rich tapestry of themes and motifs that invite readers to explore profound concepts through the eyes of her characters. In the activity inspired by "Where The Forest Meets The Sea," students are encouraged to delve into the thematic essence of Baker's work. The book presents a narrative where a boy and his father voyage to a timeless rainforest, provoking contemplation about the passage of time and the intersection of past, present, and future. As the boy traverses the ancient forest, he envisages its prehistoric life and the subtle presence of an indigenous child, culminating in a powerful visual message about the impact of human development on nature. Students are tasked with identifying recurring themes across Baker's oeuvre, including books like "Belonging," "Home," "Window," and "The Hidden Forest," and to reflect on her motivations for writing, particularly her perspectives on change and environmental conservation.

In a separate learning activity titled "Into The Rainforest," students are guided to refine their linguistic skills, focusing on vocabulary related to temperature. They are challenged to create a scale of temperature descriptors, ranging from 'Freezing' to 'Boiling,' and to consider where words like 'tepid' might fit within this spectrum. The exercise encourages them to apply appropriate adjectives to different aspects of the rainforest setting, such as the creek's water, the day's heat, and the interior climate of a tree. By revisiting Baker's illustrations, students are instructed to craft a descriptive narrative that vividly contrasts the temperatures above and below the water's surface. The activity "Vines and Creepers" furthers this exploration of language by having students expand noun phrases to enrich their descriptive writing, thereby enhancing the reader's immersion in the text. Through these activities, students gain a deeper appreciation of Baker's artistic vision and develop their own expressive capabilities.