Ahh...the Woodchuck

This week and next week I’m participating in a training course at my school. CRISS Training. I don't remember what the acronym means, and I'm too lazy to look it up. Tonight we worked on KWL charts. A KWL chart is essentially a graphic organizer to aid students' learning. The K part of the chart is where a student lists what he knows already, or thinks he knows already, about the material that will be covered. The purpose is to bring out students’ background knowledge, as this is helpful in furthering their learning, according to CRISS philosophies. Obviously, this section is filled in before the material is covered. The second section of the chart, W, is also filled in before the material is covered. In this section students write what they want to learn about the material that will be covered. The final section of the KWL chart is where a student fills in what he actually learned. This is the only section that’s filled in after the material is covered.

Since we’re in training we modeled one of these charts in class tonight. We were told that we’d be reading a two-page scientific article about woodchucks. The reason I’m posting my model isn’t so much because I’m interested in spreading this fascinating educational technique, but more so because I think my model is hilarious. Yes, I have an ego.

“The Woodchuck” KWL Chart:

What I knew, or thought I knew, about woodchucks:

• They’re mammals
• They’re the subject of a popular tongue-twister
(That’s it)

What I wanted to learn about woodchucks:

• Can a woodchuck actually chuck wood?
• If so, how much wood can a woodchuck chuck?
• If a woodchuck can’t chuck wood, what does it actually do?
• If a woodchuck can’t chuck wood, why the hell is it called a woodchuck?
• If a man were to engage in hand-to-hand combat with a woodchuck, who would likely be the victor?

What I learned about woodchucks:

• Is the largest member of the squirrel family
• Has sharp teeth
• Synonymous with Groundhog
• Herbivores
• Hibernate in winter
• Breed after emerging from hibernation

Although I did actually learn a few more things than those which are listed above, I don’t feel the need to drag on any further. What I do feel the need to do, is bemoan my disappointment in the things I wanted to learn about woodchucks, but in which I was unable. I found it very interesting that woodchucks and groundhogs are actually the same thing. So, not only are woodchucks the subject of a popular tongue-twister, but they’re also the subject of a, I don’t know, quasi-holiday. However, this doesn’t answer the question of whether or not a woodchuck actually chucks wood, nor any of the questions that go along with woodchucking or not woodchucking. And the hand-to-hand combat quandary, I still can’t find and answer to, try as I may.

After our KWL, we modeled another CRISS strategy, a writing template. The template went as follows:

One of the most (adjective) things about the Woodchuck’s (something you learned) is that…This is interesting because…

This model is where I had the chance to really shine. This was a spectacular activity because I was able to articulate something about the woodchuck that did really interest me. My response:

One of the most super-dooper things about the woodchuck’s breeding habits is that it breeds immediately after hibernation. Woodchucks sleep for two months then get busy as soon as they wake up. Woodchucks know what is up. Could there possibly be anything better than wakeup sex after a winter-long slumber? I think this is a spectacular way to build endorphins before having to face the world again for yet another 10 months of consciousness. Probably, the whole shadow-thing is a myth perpetuated by the woodchucks in order to avoid facing the world. In reality, woodchucks can see their shadows at all times, but sometimes they retreat back to their holes to continue with getting busy. After all, who would want to chuck wood, or not chuck wood, if they could be boning instead?