Description John Muir loved the land. Born in 1838, he was a writer, a scholar, an inventor, a shepherd, a farmer, and an explorer. But above all, he was a naturalist. John Muir was particularly devoted to the high cliffs, waterfalls, and ancient giant sequoia trees that, through his careful influence, were set aside as Yosemite, one of the first national parks in America. Here is the life story of the man who, moved by a commitment to wilderness everywhere, founded the Sierra Club in 1892, a conservation group that carries on his crucial work to this day. Back matter includes an epilogue, a bibliography, and information about the Sierra Club. Week 1 through 3: I introduce a rich vocabulary to describe the character traits exemplified by these historical figures. Provide observation questions designed to help students extract details that matter. Equip students with the scaffolding that enables them to craft one body paragraph that will later become part of the culminating essay. Week 4: Students craft a simple introduction and conclusion, put the components together, and, voila, an essay! Week 5: A creative project, of course, that offers directives to tap into the students imagination.
