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CURRICULUM OVERVIEWS

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GENERAL CLASS OVERVIEW - 5TH GRADE ADVENTURERS

The theme of the fifth grade program is "observing and enjoying our Father's Creation." Academically, emphasis is placed on observation, challenging students to use all of their senses in order to develop observational skills. Utilizing the excitement of fifth graders for living things, the program is designed to develop a love for and an apprecitation of God through the following classes:

"My Father's World": To get a "sense of wonder" for the world our Father entrusted to us is the main emphasis of this class. This is accomplished by the use of senses and the tree adoption activity. What is this world? and Where do I fit in ? are questions that are discussed.

"Learning About Living Things": Exploring both plants and animals, the diversity of life in a rotten log, and an examination of the food chain lead to the conclusion that all living things are different, yet are necessary and interdependent. Exploration and group games develop these thoughts and concepts.

"Asking The Birds": Examining the feathers, beaks, feet and owl pellets helps students see and understand the uniqueness and incredible design of the "birds of the air".

"Probing Producers": Examining all aspects of the plant world gives the student a "sense of wonder" for the primary producers of this world. The leaves, stems, roots, and seeds are each discussed and collected to show the growth process.

"On The Go With God": Students learn to use good wilderness manners. Trip planning, and orienteering develop the "sense of wonder" for the outdoors, along with the responsibility for caring for our Father's world.

"Earth Explorers": The formation and composition of the earth's crust is the main objective of this class. Rocks will be collected, examined, tested, and identified to determine their origin and uses. The interdependence of all God's creation will become more evident when students consider the importance of rocks and even the smallest pebbles.

"Night Hike and Games": This evening class utilizes a short hike and non-threatening games to help students develop an appreciation and enjoyment of a part of God's world which many fear.

"Working Together For God": A spy safari and other games challenge the student to apply concepts learned throughout the week in respect to personal responsibility for God's creation.

The spiritual theme of the discoverer program is "understanding and enjoying the diverse components of Creation." Academically, emphasis is placed on investigation and observation, challenging students to use all of their senses and to develop observational skills in obtaining knowledge and developing an understanding of the natural world. Interdependence is the major concept emphasized throughout each of the following classes:

"Connecting with God's Community"; Focusing on the concept that all things created by God must work together for all to survive, this class provides an introductory overview to the outdoor school week. Creating a sense of community among students is the first step in relaying this concept. Activities include an orientation hike, group initiatives,* and observation games.

"Focusing on Foundations"; Without sun, air, water, and soil, life could not exist on earth. This session focuses on the essential element of soil. Students take on the role of "scientists," discovering just what soil is and how it forms from both biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) materials. As soil is seen to be the foundation for living things on earth, so christ is seen to be the foundation for our lives.

"Understanding Animals"; God created hundreds of different kinds of animals, specifically designing them for certain habitats. The basic elements of those habitats are the food supply, water, shelter, and climate. This session emphasizes observation of those elements and teaches responsibility in caring for the plants and animals over which we were given dominion. Emphasis is placed on handling and observing a variety of animals. Students review and draw together what they've learned by building the "pyramid of life."

"A Trip to Nature's Grocery Store"; A wide variety of plants and animals are directly dependent upon bodies of water such as streams and ponds. In fact, these riparian areas are often referred to as "nature's grocery store." A beginning understanding of the water cycle provides the framework for this study. Activities include a student dramatization of the water cycle and a thorough investigation of a stream and/or pond environment.

"Growing, Growing, Gone"; From starting in the soil, to finishing as seeds, plants are an essential part of God's creation and play a major role in the "Web of Life." By using skits, games, and group discussion, students will learn the importance of plants, how and what they need to grow and survive, and how humans are dependent upon them.

"Developing Outdoor Skills"; Students receive a broad introduction to basic camping skills including fire-building. Activities include actual practicing of these skills so that students get to try what they otherwise might only talk about.

"Practicing Wilderness Manners"; The earth is in need of proper care. In Romans we are told that, "Creation groans expectantly for the sons of God to be revealed." Christians should be in the forefront of providing that care. This session wraps up the outdoor school week through a variety of activities including building the "web of life" and applying what has been learned in an environmental issue debate or by means of a conservation project around the camp.

"Rocks that Roll"; The formation and composition of the earth's crust is the main objective of this class. Rocks will be collected, examined, tested, and identified to determine their origin and uses. The interdependence of all God's creation will become more evident when students consider the importance of rocks, even the smallest pebbles.

"Developing Night Awareness"; God created many animals that sleep during the day and are active at night. The night hike introduces students to the world of nocturnal animals, explores how they are designed to live at night, and discovers how we may share the darkness with them. This is a unique activity that few people are accustomed to, as the majority of the class time is devoted to silently exploring the darkened camp and listening for the sounds of the night.

*Group initiatives will be used throughout the week. These problem-solving "games" are designed to teach cooperation and develop a spirit of unity. Students also gain an appreciation for the roles of leaders and followers within a group.

The theme of this program, geared toward the seventh grade, is "Creation as an ecosystem and my role within the system" Academically, emphasis is placed on observation and classification skills. Students are challenged to apply the knowledge that they gain to identify members of the natural community. Interdependence and stewardship are the major concepts emphasized throughout the following classes:

"Investigating Interrelationships": This lesson sets the stage for the rest of the week through in-depth study of the concept of interdependence. The role of individual ecosystems and natural food chains are reviewed. Activities include designing a forest ecosystem; a community-building, problem-solving game; and a group discovery project which compares the Church (Christian community) to the natural community.

"Water-Remarkable Thing": An in-depth study of water as an essential element of any ecosystem, including advanced field studies of the water cycle, the biological community, and the factors influencing them. The class illustrates the delicate care we need to exhibit for one of our most important resources. Class activity will focus on exploration and experimentation.

"Creepy, Crawly, Creatures": Here the students are introduced to the largest class of living creatures: insects. The vital role and incredible diversity of insects will be illustrated through field study and hands-on observation. Emphasis will be placed on specialization, structure, life cycle, and classification. Activities will include collection and identification of local insects.

"Surviving in the Wilderness I": This lesson focuses on man and his ability to survive in the natural environment or crisis situations. Emphasis is placed on the basic elements required for survival as well as on survival skills. Activities include building a solar still and creative use of available resources to aid in survival situations.

"Exploring the Night Sky I": The amazing subject of astronomy introduces the students to the basic components of our solar system, its characteristics, and its influence on our lives. Activities include an astronomy hike to observe constellations and any other heavenly bodies, such as planets and satellites, which may be visible.

"Probing Producers I": Focusing on plants as a vital member of the natural community, emphasis is placed on their role in the ecosystem, including identification through observation of their characteristics. Students will collect and identify local plants using appropriate field guides.

"Practicing Good Stewardship": The week is wrapped up by challenging students to apply what they have learned about the natural environment and its members by practicing good stewardship of it. Activities include a review of concepts from throughout the week and an "unnatural" hike.

"To Be Or Not To Be": This lesson will look at the relationship between animals and their habitat. The focus will be on God's specific design and habitat for creatures of His creation, how they are dependent upon their habitatt, and how an animal becomes threatened and/or endangered. The cause and effect of man's relationship with the animals and their environment will also be discussed.

The spiritual theme of the eighth grade program is "understanding God's provision and man's responsibility." Academically, the classes are geared toward research and discovery, allowing students to investigate Creation and encouraging them to synthesize what they have learned and apply it in their lives. The following classes are included:

"Ecology II (Group Initiatives)": This involves a group of people taking steps together to solve a problem. In a non-threatening atmosphere of fun and acceptance, the students are given certain tasks (in graduating difficulty) which they must complete as a group. The emergence of leaders and followers can be a pleasant surprise or a hard lesson; either way it is a valuable learning experience with far-reaching applications. These activities also serve to emphasize the concept of interdependence, illustrating the natural ecosystem which students will be investigating throughout the week.

"Exploring Foundations II": Soil-a source of life. Students will conduct a detailed analysis of the soils in a designated area, identifying soil horizons and measuring characteristics such as texture, structure, and compaction. Activities will include conducting a series of chemical tests, andusing the information gathered to develop a soil management plan.

"Water You Know": Imagine, if you can, a world without water. Just as life on earth depends upon water, so we depend on the living water, Jesus Christ, for eternal life. This study period will focus on the importance of water, measuring the quantity and quality of available water in a given area, and identifying the factors influencing those characteristics. Both mathematics and science are strongly emphasized.

"Probing Producers II": Food, oxygen, temperature control-God meets all of these needs with one amazing creation: plants! This class session will focus specifically on trees, their uses and factors affecting use, growth, and value. Students will conduct a transpiration experiment, try their hand at cruising timber, and develop a system for tree identification.

"Analyzing Animals": "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you. . ." (Job 12:7). We will spend this session exploring the creatures that we live with. Activities include in-depth investigation of a specified habitat and a specific animal, including its habits and special design for movement, protection, etc. . . Students will handle the animals and use field guides to assist them in their studies.

"Surviving In The Wilderness II": God has provided for all of our basic needs through Creation. Exploring the specific sources of these materials will be our focus. Students will discover ways to secure water and food, specifically wild edible plants, experiencing them within the context of a common-sense method of identification and "testing."

"Investigating The Night Sky II": "The heavens declare the glory of God." This sense of awe can be increased by understanding more about the heavens. Students learn the difference between comets and meteors, characteristics of a star, and uses of the heavenly bodies. The class is conducted at night with the majority of the time devoted to firsthand observation of the stars.

"Solo - Solo Preparation - Solo Debrief": The eighth grade solo is, for many, a traditional climax of the three-year Genesis Account sequence. It is a chance to prove to themselves that they can "survive" alone for an extended period of time. The survival aspect is more mental than physical. Through sessions of preparation and debriefing, as well as the actual solo period, the emphasis is placed on dealing with fears, needs, and goals from a Biblical perspective. God's provisions for all of these are discussed, and the students' solo manuals direct the personal study time to specific encouraging scriptures. The focal point of the exercise is a period of 4-6 hours where the students are placed throughout the camp to experience the time solo. The impact of this exercise varies from person to person, but for all, it provides a tangible expression of God fulfilling his promises while allowing the student to overcome fear.



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