My students get lost in the maze.
Thursday, September 25, the sun shone warm and bright—a beautiful day to wander Morton Arboretum for an hour. Forty of my (Linda Elaine’s) English 1101 students, some for the first time, converged on the Arboretum grounds to complete the first part of an observation and description essay assignment, the double-entry journal. Read their thoughts on what they discovered.
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kickels
Jenn
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suefrankson
A few weeks ago I was given a homework assignment to visit the Morton Arboretum, and although I have lived within ten miles of the Arboretum for over twenty years, I never took the time to visit. Thankfully this turned out to be a wonderful opportunity to view nature in a way I never allowed myself to see it in the past. The end of September is a fantastic time to visit – you can hear the leaves falling off the colorful trees and feel them crunching beneath your shoes. If you stand and stare at the trees, you find yourself swaying with them as if they were embracing you. The ducks in the water lazily flow in the water as if not a worry in the world. You find yourself sitting on a bench by the pond not wanting to leave while you smell and look at all the gorgeous flowers and plants that surround the water. This is just a small amount of what I enjoyed at the Arboretum, there was so much more; in fact, yesterday I took my 15 month old grandson there to see all the Halloween decorations and enjoy the Childrens’ Maze and Garden. What started as a homework assignment turned into something very special to me.
Jan M.
The Morton arboretum was a stunning display of foliage and landscaping. Towering trees exploded with red, yellow and orange blasts of color. The turning leaves marked the beginning of fall and all its wonderful changes. A warm september breeze brought forth the sweet heavy scent of autumn and filled me with memories of childhood adventures in the forests. The sounds of children playing and laughing only helped the nostalgia. Bird songs filled the air and dragonflies buzzed around in endless circles. The park was so alive with activity that it seemed to have a soul of its own. A pleasant escape from the cold, dull walls of the classroom, Morton’s Arboretum provided me with a conducive writing environment. So helpful in fact, the arboretum inspired me to start writing outdoors, weather permitting, for recreation and relaxation.
The Morton Arboretum provided an area secluded from the hustle and bustle of the modern day society with its winding hedge mazes and tree-guarded meadows. While I toured the path around the lake, the buzzing melody of the cicadas eliminated all other distractions, allowing me to delve deep into my inner thoughts. This peaceful euphoria that the cicadas created coupled with the cool breeze whipping past my ear to give me a sense of belonging. The calming nature enabled me to generate an endless supply of thoughts and visions that only this location could trigger. I will use this paradise to tap into my creative side and to let the ideas flow.
Visiting the Morton Arboretum started out as an intriguing homework assignment which developed into an experience that sticks with me everyday. I have a relationship with nature, the animals, the trees, water, and air itself. While visiting the Arboretum I was able to connect with the sounds of nature we rarely get to hear as clearly do to modern day industry and the noise of the general population. I was able to hear birds singing , squirrels talking, grass hoppers hopping, the wind blowing through the trees, frogs and many other sounds that I found fascinating while Smells filled my nose I never knew existed. I was able to meet new plants I hadn’t met before, I was able to be one with my surroundings without distraction, I felt as if I were part of nature, in which in reality everyone is.
I went for a short jaunt today to Morton Arboretum Discovery and a class assignment is my visit to the Morton Arboretum . The arboretum opened my eyes to the variations in plants and colors within a species. I had never stept into a place like this. First things first, though. Cool off in the visitor’s center, then relax in the cafe. As i come outside from the back doors i can hear all kinds of birds and the wind blowing through my hair. A strong scent of fresh sunflowers took me back when i was playing around in my grandmothers garden. Whether you’re looking for some information on plants to select for superb fall color or wanting to read a little more in depth about the fascinating process underway. Now is your turn come see and be Ready to go for a walk, crunch some leaves and immerse yourself in the red, yellow, orange, gold, maroon and, yes, green of this autumn.
When I went to arboretum I was amazed how beautiful it is, I could feel peaceful atmosphere everywhere. I could feel warm and soft wind on my face and in my hair, the same wind that was moving all the trees and grass like they were dancing together. I sat under the oak trees and I closed my eyes, the sound of the trees was like the most calming and relaxing melody ever. Colorful leaves looked like someone just painted them in the warm colors of fall with a brush. The sky upon the trees was so beautiful, it had bright, blue color with many white clouds that looked like cotton balls, flying in its own directions. Everything looked like one beautiful painting that I could watch forever. I really enjoyed my trip to Arboretum, it was so peaceful and relaxing, it brought me many different thoughts and feelings about nature, that now I see in different eyes. I also hope that people won’t need places like arboretum, where everything were plant on purpose to see nature. That people will respect nature and won’t let it die for any reason.
Going to the arboretum and looking at the trees, I was amazed. They are old tall trees that seem to have witness a lot of things over their lifetime. Looking beyond the trees, they grow wisdom and strength. They seem our friends, no matter how bad our own society has hurt their ancestries. The trees in the arboretum are not seen as much anymore. New developments, constructions, and viruses are what makes trees like the one in the arboretum get cut down. I realized the beauty of nature that we have left in our planet, and the effect we are leaving behind. Going to the arboretum, I became proactive and started changing my old habits to preserve the beauty of our land.
In order to complete an homework assignment for my english class, I had to visit the Morton Arboretum. Living in the city of Chicago for most of my life I never experinced nothing like this and maybe I never will again. This new land of nature I think everyone should visit and experince in their lives. The Arboretum is a peaceful land filled with beauty and innocence. In a world filled with destruction and angry I feel the Arboretum is much needed soution.
A few days ago I felt like my childhood dream had come true by finding the end of the rainbow. On the drive to the Morton Arboretum, I was interested in how this assignment related to an college English class, but once I entered the property a new side of me arose, and bloomed just like the beautiful flowers and landscape throughout the area. I saw leaves falling from trees, that had such unique color. While walking on the beautiful landscape, my feet swishing through the scattered leaves that engulfed the ground as if it were a carpet laid out for all of nature to enjoy. Experiencing this assignment makes me well aware that our society is ruining something that can be very peaceful to anyone no matter what race, gender, or age. I hope to visit the Arboretum more often, and take advantage of the beauty this world gives to us, for nothing other than appreciation and gratitude for this serine place to come to and feel at one with nature.
What a great class assignment! There are millions of people who have never traveled out of the city to see a cow. Who would have ever thought that there would be a time when people would have to make a special trip to see large groves of trees, bushes, and sunflowers on a cool, autumn day? The scene had to evoke deep feelings of awe, nostalgia, and reverence. Students would never have captured and recorded those feelings had it not been for their English 1101 class. I enjoyed your prose and look forward to more.
I’m not sure how I let myself get too busy to stop and enjoy nature’s splendor. Fortunately, I was given an assignment to visit Morton Arboretum where I listened to a pleasant symphony of crickets near a peaceful lake and gazed at numerous trees from different regions of the earth. I was humbled while watching chipmunks and squirrels chase one another like children at play. Then I was saddened by my remembrance that humans are destroying these animals natural habitat. During my visit I unassumingly revitalized my appreciation for the great outdoors and realized that the preservation of nature is vital to our society now and for the future.
As i drove into the arboretum, I could already start to see the great trees that bordered the parking lot. I could sense the seclusion of the world, and feel what it was like to be in sense with my inner peace. As I start to walk around the Arboretum, I feel a strong breeze press against me that was extremely peaceful. I found my eyes wandering to all of the beautiful sights. The trees were all extremely unique in their own way, and draw you in to take a closer look at each and every one of them. It is a great experience, and I encourage you to visit with a camera in hand.
Being a country girl raised on a farm, you can imagine how much nature is consumed in my life. I was in Brownies and Girl Scouts growing up as a child. I considered myself the “outdoor” type of girl. Going to the Arboretum was a pleasurable experience for me, however, the first time I went was in elementary school and was not so fulfulling to me. On my most recent visit, the weather was perfect outside with the sun shining on the water and reflecting onto my skin to create heat tension on my face and shoulders. There was a grateful breeze that kept me cooled off that day without any exhaustion. My friend and I decided to join up with two other people that developed into an even bigger group. I didn’t know that that same group of students would be laughing at me as I squatted over crouched in attempt to catch a metamorphisizing grasshopper. I always try to make the most of all my experiences, so doing something ridiculous and fun was all part of my game. However, looking at the huge oak trees, blooming blossoms and families of daisies gave me a peace of mind I have never had before. For once, nature was quiet to me and meant no harm. It gave me serenity to reflect on my relationships, desicions and my moral beliefs. I felt like I secluded myself at some points of the day. The trees created shade for me, beauty to look at and objects to focus on as I focused on my own life. When I felt like giving up on things, nature surrounded me and relaxed all my stressed. Smells of onion plants, lake water and seaweed can not be captured in any of my paintings. The Morton Arboretum provided a quiet and fulifilling experience to me that was better the second time around.
Even though I wasn’t able to go to the Arboretum on the day of the assignment, I have gone several times before. Having the chance to go in the fall is one of the best. It’s a perfect way to experience the season away from all the distractions of everyday life. Being around this type of environment oppose to the one I encounter on a daily basis, surely makes this a wonderful experience. Walking down the wood-chip paths, as the the earth beneath my feet makes a soft crunch noise with every step. Being able to walk through the forest of trees that are now changing to warm bright colours like reds, yellows, and oranges; as the smell of the fallen wet leaves on the ground, accumulate making a myriad of colours, carpeting the long trails. It’s the sound, smell, and sight of autumn, and it’s an almost enchanting experience.
For my english 1101 course, the teacher gave all of us an assignment to go to the Morton Arboretum and write down our observations. When I got there at first, I wasn’t excited about going outside because it was an unusually hot day in September. I sat in the chilled visitor center by the entrance for a while. I did this until i saw people from my class showing up. I walked around the lake and read all of the plaques bearings stories messages and poems about trees. My feelings towards the Arboretum began to change. i started to see the natural beauty that was surrounding me. From every falling leaf to every blade of grass dancing in the soft autumn breeze. I realized, as i walked through the trees, that everything has a beauty that can be seen by merely looking.
I didn’t get a chance to go to the Arboretum but I did take the time to walk around my neighborhood and examine all the nature around me. It was the first time in a really long time that I was able to completely relax and take in all of my beautiful surroundings. I was finally at ease with myself and thought were flowing smoothly. I was happy to take this time off by myself to relate to nature and come to an understanding of my environment.
During my brief, hour-long stay Morton Arboretum, I discovered the peace and tranquility some people can only dream of. I had the chance to take large gulps of fresh air while enjoying the sprawling landscape. My stroll around Meadow Lake was better than any walk down the cramped, man-made halls of the COD campus. Simply taking the time to rest in a bright, natural environment can bring a smile to anyone’s face.
During my two hour trip to the Morton Arboretum i was amazed at how peacefull and at rest i was. I began to relax within the first hafl hour of walking around looking at the red, orange, yellow, and brown leaves. I found one tree that looked like it was on fire. Unfortunately i forgot to take my camera with me so i could take pictures. After walking around for an hour or so i came across a herd of dear peacefully searching for some food. Even though you can hear the craziness of I88 in the background the Morton Arboretum is a very tranquile place to just walk around and forget about all the troubles in your life
Although I didn’t want to even go take the trip to the Morton Arboretum in the first place I am happy I was given a second opportunity witness this wonderful experience. I assumed that the Morton Arboretum was going to be a waste of time but it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. For the lazy people in the world that hate walking they could drive their vehicles inside the Arboretum although it was at a very slow pace that amazed me the most. The animals felt at home like the Arboretum was really their homes. A family of deer walked around like humans looking to ease their appetites. The construction that was occurring down the street wasn’t anything to disturb a soul. If a couple wanted to have a nice peaceful date the Morton Arboretum is the place to be at.
As an assignment for my English 1101 class i took a trip to the Morton Arboretum and found out that my purpose there started out as a homework assignment but lead to something greater. The Arboretum was such a beautiful experience that it really opened my eyes to how peaceful and fulfilling nature can be without all of the strings that modern day life brings along with any relaxing activities. I really felt like at that time which i spent in the Arboretum there was nothing more important than taking a few minutes to stop and look around at the world which had always surrounded me, yet i just never took the time to look at it and appreciate its beauty and all that it provides us on a daily bases. The Arboretum really had a great collection of so many different trees and plants that it showed most urban settlers how much variety mother nature has and the fact that the arboretum doesn’t even contain all of this variety is amazing. The entire experience was beautiful and completely worth the time and effort. I got to watch parents take their kids around and fascinate them with things that they will soon unfortunately grow to ignore. It was an eye opening experience for me and probably for most other students and I’m glad that I took the time to have it.