AMERICAN OUTDOOR SCHOOLS
GENERAL CLASS OVERVIEW - FIFTH GRADE "My World": To get a "sense of wonder" for the natural world is the main emphasis of this class. This will be accomplished by the use of our senses and tree adoption program. What is this world and where do I fit in are ideas that are developed.
"Learning About Living Things": Exploring both plants and animals; the diversity of life in a rotten log; and an examination of the food chain all lead to the conclusion that all living things are different yet are necessary and interdependent. Exploration and group games develop these thoughts and concepts.
"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.
"Close Up With Nature": A "blind trail" is used to let the students see nature without their eyes. Their environment becomes a new world as they experience the diversity of life in a new light.
"Earth Explorer 1": The formation and composition of the earth's crust is the main objective of this class. Rocks will be collected, identified and examined to determine their origin and uses.
"Earth Explorers 2": Students continue to examine the crust of our planet by creating different soils and appreciating the importance of soil. The discussion of erosion will give the students an understanding of man's responsibilty as stewards of this earth; even down to the soil.
"Developing Outdoor Living Skills": Students learn and use good wilderness manners. Trip planning, a discovery hike and natural trail snacks also develop the "sense of wonder" for the outdoors along with the responsibility for caring for our world.
GENERAL CLASS OVERVIEW - SIXTH GRADE "A Community": An overview introduction to the whole idea of outdoor education camp, introducing the idea that all living things must work together in order for all to survive. Creating a sense of community among the students is the first step in understanding this concept.
"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 thorough investigation of a stream and/or pond environment. We also have a marine biology program.
"Growing, Growing, Gone": Plants are an essential part of nature and play a major role in the "Web of Life." From starting in the soil to finishing as seeds, students will learn the importance of plants, now and what they need to grow and survive and how humans are dependent on plants through skits, games, and group discussion.
"Exploring Foundations": Without the 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.
"Understanding Animals": Animals are uniquely designed to survive in certain habitats. The basic components of those habitats are the food supply, water and shelter. This session emphasizes observation of those criteria and teaches students to predict an animal's habitat from the animal's design. 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."
"Developing Outdoor Skills": Students receive a broad introduction to basic camping skills including fire building and outdoor cooking. Activities include actual practicing of these skills so that students get an opportunity to try what they otherwise might only talk about. Emphasis is placed on our responsibility to wisely enjoy and protect the outdoors.
"Discovering the Night": Many animals are specially designed to sleep during the day and be active at night. After a brief introductory lecture, the students take a "night hike" to discover and observe these nocturnal animals. The class also examines the night sky and discusses basic astronomy.
"Wilderness Manners": Designated wilderness areas are not the only places that require special preservative care. The whole earth is in need of this kind of treatment. This class wraps up the week's activities and provides some practical suggestions for students to take back to their schools and neighborhoods.
"Rocks That Roll": The formation and composition of the earth's crust is the main objective of this class. Rocks will be collected, identified and examined to determine their origin and uses.
GENERAL CLASS OVERVIEW - SEVENTH GRADE "Community II": Students begin the week with an overall picture of how the classes fit together. In-depth study of the concepts of interdependence and community introduces the role of individual Ecosystyems and the natural food chain. Class discussion focuses on man's role in the natural community. Class activities include a "blind hike" to encourage the use of all the senses, a community building problem-solving activity, and a group discovery project which compares Community to Nature (the Natural Community).
"Riparian Trail II": Continuing from Riparian I, this class conducts more in-depth studies of the various aspects of a riparian community. It includes a broader look at the water cycle, the biological community, and what influences them. The Riparian area of any environment is nature 's "grocery store," providing food and water for hundreds of plants and animals. The class is designed to illustrate this and to teach students that the Riparian area is an integral part of nature's overall ecological system. This field study course requires complete student participation in group and individual activities.
"Insects": Insects comprise the largest class of living creatures, containing more species than all other classes of plants and animals combined. This class will introduce the student to the myriad wonders hidden in the world of insects, teaching such things as specialization, structure, life cycle, and classification. The vital role of the insect in nature will be illustrated through field study and hands on observation.
"Survival Skills": This class continues to develop the concepts taught in the sixth grade Outdoor Living Skills. Survival is the art of staying alive with the least amount of personal injury in an emergency situation. Students learn the basics of this art, including what is necessary for survival (air, shelter, water, food), and how long they can survive without those elements. Skills emphasized are sound judgement strategy, creative thinking, shelter building, causes, preventions and cures of hypothermia, water procurement and signaling. All lecture and discussion will be followed up with student application.
"Astronomy-Night Hike": During the astronomy-night hike students have a chance to explore the vastness of the heavens. They investigate our solar system, compare and contrast the nine planets and their satellites, study the earth's rotation and the sun's arc by season, and identify some major constellations.
"Probing Producers": Plants are an essential part of nature and play a major role in the web of life. This class will acquaint the students with some of the many uses and values plants have. The basic parts of a plant and their function will be discussed and observed. The class activity will focus on collection and classification of indigenous plants.
"Stewardship: Human Ecology": Man has a greater impact on the natural environment than all other animals combined. This class will deal with man's role as steward of this world, his impact, needs, and responsibilities. The emphasis will be on developing healthy perspectives and attitudes about ecology and stewardship. Stewardship parallels and continues the 6th grade Wilderness Manners class by summarizing the week and providing practical and theoretical application for the students. Activities includes, an ecology exercise such as tree planting or campsite cleanup, and a group debate designed to illustrate the value of careful decision making.
GENERAL CLASS OVERVIEW - EIGHTH GRADE "Ecology II" (Group Initiatives): "A group of people taking steps together to solve a problem." In an un-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, and illustrate 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, and using 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 water. 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": This class session will focus specifically on trees, their uses, factors affecting use, growth, and value. Students will conduct a transpiration experiment, try their hand at cruiseing timber, and develop a system for tree identification.
"Analyzing Animals": We'll spend this session exploring the creatures that we live with. Activities include indepth 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": 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".
"Solo" - Solo Preparation - Solo Debrief: The eighth grade solo is, for many, a traditional climax of the three-year American Outdoor Schools 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 for life. The students solo manuals directs the personal study time to specific life goals. 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 opportunity for student to learn how to deal with the fears and stress of every day life.
"Investigating The Night Sky II": This gives students a deeper understanding of the night sky. Students learn the difference between comets and meteors, characteristics of a star. The class is conducted at night with the majority of the time devoted to firsthand observation of the stars.
Web Page Design by Concept Graphics E-Mail bfrem@sierranet.net
copyright 1996 by Concept Graphic all rights reserved Concept Graphics