It has been crisp and sunny here in the city, so I thought I would take advantage of the sunshine by heading out on a walk the other day. My goal, was to walk from my house to Coit Tower and to document my journey along the way. As I walked I found myself thinking about all of the wonderful natural areas that San Francisco has and how important it is to share this natural beauty with our students. I had the pleasure of being a cabin leader for a group of fifth graders last spring through their outdoor education program. While the trip was amazing and educational, sharing in the beauty of nature and appreciating plants and wildlife is not limited to heading miles outside of the city limits! Urban cities like San Francisco have a plethora of beautiful natural areas that can be shared and admired by students right in their own "backyard". As I walked I thought of the poem, "Where the Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein. Here is his beautiful poem accompanied by my photos. This would be a great activity for any age group, taking your students on an "Urban Hike" as I like to call it and then reflecting on the sights through photos, painting, drawing and poetry are great ways to incorporate art and literacy in your classroom! I hope you enjoy!
There is a place where the sidewalk ends,
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.
Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.
Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.
- Miss V
