Seth Paine
Elementary
School
Fifth Grade Taft Trip
February 24-26, 2010
Curriculum Components
Philosophy
We believe the environmental
education experience enhances the potential for self-realization. Outdoor
Education also encourages a real appreciation of our environment. It also
strengthens human relationships through democratic processes, and encourages
civic responsibility through an understanding of our ecological role in the
environment. We understand students are energetic, curious, adventuresome, fun
seeking, and striving independently to identify with something larger than
themselves. We work to fulfill these needs through several exercises and
experiences, carefully selected to encourage the greatest possible personal
growth for each child. These processes evolve by learning through direct
experience. The thrills of exploration and discovery enhance the learning
experience, which in turn produces a real appreciation of the world around us.
Overview of Educational Activities
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During this activity students will discover the value
and enjoyment
of orienteering. They will learn the history of the compass
and its value in exploration, applied work situations, and
recreation.
In addition to learning the parts of the compass, students will
practice
these skills by completing an orienteering course at Taft campus. This
really puts the skills we've learned at school to the test and gives
the
children an opportunity to really show what they know. It's a great
confidence
builder.
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Pioneering:
This activity supplements our social studies
units. Historical
scenes and stories will be recreated in an authentic log cabin.
The
children will experience a day in the life of a pioneer, and learn
something
about what it would have been like to grow up on the frontier. The cut,
and drill, and cook, and weave, and, if they're lucky, they may even
get
to play an old-fashioned game.
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| Initiatives
Initiatives are group problem solving activities in
which the
students work cooperatively to overcome some form of challenge.
The
goals of this activity are to increase the participant's sense of
personal
confidence, to increase mutual support within a group, and to develop
an
increased level of agility and physical coordination. The students
really
love this activity because they feel like they've overcome some
difficult
challenges and learned about their own strength.
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Instincts for Survival
This simulation activity allows children to experience
the interrelationships
in a food chain. Concepts such as overpopulation, conservation,
specific
animal traits, and the predator/prey relationship are experienced. The
students take on the role of an animal in the food chain. They
"survive"
if they find the food and water they need without becoming the prey of
another animal.
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| Science Activities
During this activity the students will participate in a
variety
of natural science activities utilizing the resources of the natural
environment
at Taft. Topics such as river ecology, forest ecology, and
birding
are often investigated. The campus at Taft is rich in natural resources
and the children are frequently amazed at the wonders of nature this
activity
opens them up to.
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Night Hike
When the sun starts to go down the children experience the
darkness
in a way few of them have before. After stories around a campfire we go
on a "night hike." The students learn about their "night vision" and
about
how nocturnal animals use senses other than sight to find their way.
The
children learn to adapt to the darkness and not to fear it.
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| Writing
No, we don't forget about books and pencils and papers totally
when
we go to Taft. Part of each day is spent reflecting on what we've
learned.
The students have a journal that they keep while they're at Taft. It's
a part of the experience and an opportunity to save their thoughts and
experiences. We hope they look back on this journal in later years and
remember the great experience they had at Taft.
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Alpha Wolf
Alpha Wolf is another simulation designed to teach the
children
by doing. In this activity the children act out the role of wolves in a
pack. They use growls, yelps, howls, and non-verbal signals to
communicate
with each other and to find the alpha wolf who's hiding somewhere in a
large field.
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| Independence
Of course, a big part of the "Taft Experience" is being "on
your own"
and away from home. Taking care of yourself and being responsible are
big
confidence builders. Hoppers are responsible for setting the table,
serving
the food, and cleaning up at meals. Everybody takes their turn. And
then
there's being responsible for your own clothes and for packing to go
home.
They all seem to manage, but some definitely find it a "new" experience.
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Survival Skills
The BIG thing on TV these days seems to be "surviver shows."
Survival
is, of course, is nothing new. Being able to live "off the land" has
been
an important skill that has kept people alive during extreme situations
for thousands of years. Every year we read stories in the news about
people
surviving plane crashes, auto accidents or blizzards. This is our own
version
of how to survive in the wilderness taught by a real expert from Taft.
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Author: Diana Christ
Created: March 24, 2008
Updated: February 22, 2010
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