Supersaturated Solutions

In learning about supersaturated solutions, our class used borax to make some amazing crystals. Some of the groups made such supersaturated solutions that so many crystals formed it was hard to get them out of the jar!

UNR Basketball Game

On Wednesday, we were invited by the University of Nevada, Reno to attend a women's basketball game on campus. The goal was to introduce students to campus and instill the thought that college is a possibility after high school graduation. Upon returning from the field experience, we took an online tour of the UNR campus and investigated the different colleges on campus.

Saturated Solutions

In science, our class has been learning about saturated solutions. Last week we calculated that cold water holds 12-15 grams of salt and then reaches its saturation point. This week, students investigated if citric acid, when dissolved into cold water, has the same saturation point. Although not finished with the investigation yet, students have found that so far it is holding many more spoonfuls of citric acid. Today they will reach the saturation point and use math to calculate how many grams of the citric acid the water holds.

Baking Bread

Connecting math and reading together, this week we read about the science of bread and yeast. We followed that up by having groups of 2-3 students follow recipes to make loaves of bread. All together, our class brought in 9 bread machines and a table full of ingredients. We will enjoy the different types of bread this afternoon while we share what we are thankful for during this time of year.

Scaled Map of Playground

Today we began a three-day mathematics lesson that deals with analyzing our grass on the school playground. Modeled after the new SBAC test that replaces the CRT test in the spring, the math tasks require students to use a variety of skills to accomplish the task. Today we measured the grass and created a scaled model on paper. Future lessons will involve calculating the cost of new edging to go around, while also determining which product (from Lowe's or Home Depot) would be best based upon cost. They will figure out how much fertilizer to apply based on the area, and calculate how many bags must be purchased and what the total cost would be (including our Nevada tax rate).

Mixtures and Solutions

We kicked off our unit of mixtures and solutions by analyzing sodium chloride, diatomacious earth, and gravel mixed with water. The kicker came when students were told they needed to return ALL the materials so they could be used again next year. Using science, students returned 2 of the 3 materials. Next week, students will prepare the NaCl solution again and use a method that does work to get the salt back.

Geometry Coming to a Close

This week we will conclude our geometry unit, where students analyzed 2-D shapes based on their attributes. Our task today, one of the final tasks, was to create a hierarchy diagram which started with "polygons" at the initial title and then broke down into "triangles" and "quadrilaterals". They had many different categories to sort and the activity took lots of thinking, analyzing, and resorting. We had a very high success with this activity.

Solar Eclipse

Today we took advantage of the partial solar eclipse that was seen in the Reno area. We observed it at different times to learn how eclipses change. We went through two scenarios using students as the sun, earth and moon to further understand how eclipses form.

Geometry

In math we have been focusing on geometry. Fifth grade spends much time going deep into classifying figures based upon their attributes. We have been analyzing and sorting triangles based upon two different characteristics: angles and sides. Today, students worked in groups to name several triangles and then PROVE why it is that type. Great discussions abounded in class as students shared how they determined angles and length of sides with various tools they chose to use.

The Best Day so Far!

Today was amazing. The weather was the best and the class hit the most challenging and rewarding challenges. The support that was seen in encouragement from students as another child tried to climb the Alpine Tower was nothing but supportive. Students who at first thought they wouldn't even attempt the tower ended up battling their way to the top. So much to be proud of today. Down at the pond, the sunny weather allowed more time to investigate and learn about macro invertebrates. With a fresh baked cookie served for snack at 4:30, free time is now taking place. Soccer, crafts and more abound.

Beginning of Day Three

We woke up to fog this morning, which made the walk to our french toast breakfast beautiful. Campers crashed asleep quickly last night and most cabins slept in until they had to get up. All were tired from the prior learning yesterday. Although a cool morning, the sun is breaking up the fog. Stomachs are all full from breakfast and students are excited for their last full day of outdoor school. The level three challenges on the challenge course are what most groups will focus on today. The following two cabin groups of boys, when spoken to, voiced their excitement about today's activities.

End of Day Two

Day two is wrapping up. Another delicious meal for dinner and our ort has been decreasing. Ort is our wasted food. It has been collected and weighed at the end of each meal. During our first dinner on day one, we had 13 pounds of ort! Today for breakfast and dinner, we have learned to only take what we think we will eat, knowing we can always come back for more….and more….and more if we are still hungry. We had decreased our ort to 5 1/2 pounds at breakfast and 6 pounds at dinner. We had seven tables where no ort was produced at all during our dinner meal. After dinner we had our astronomy lesson, switching it with our night hike for tomorrow night to allow the grasses that we will walk into and sit in at night to dry out. We had as many cheerful faces tonight as there were this morning. A great day number two!

Learning on a Mud Floor Classroom

Day two has seen the rain decrease. In fact, it hasn't stopped any learning at all. Challenge course continues to provide more difficult challenges, forest ecology hikes still taking place. All is good at Grizzly Creek Ranch!

First Night: Journeys Outdoor School

According to Jacob, last night was "exciting and fun". Sounds like everyone slept well and at the little rain this morning isn't getting any of the campers down. All seem full of energy and excited for day number two. Blue sky is even already peaking out through the clouds by 7:40 AM.

Day 1: Journeys Outdoor School

Day one is coming to a close. Only 10 minutes left until "lights out". It was a wonderful first day. Students quickly unloaded the buses so that the learning could begin. One trail group spent the afternoon at pond ecology. Two groups learned physics with slingshots while another group took a four-hour hike to learn about forest ecology. Some amazing animals were seen today by the forest ecology group! The first stage of the challenge course was started by several trail groups as well. The weather is good, the food is great, and the students are having a wonderful time.