Creating our Tie Dye Scarecrow

Our class is making an owl for our class scarecrow. Students cut out feathers, used a sewing machine, and painted a backdrop. Show up Thursday to see the finished project. 

Happy 60th Beck!

Computer Science Kickoff

Today kicked off our class computer science unit. We plan on doing projects each Monday. We started with Makey Makeys, where students experimented with making game controllers out of Playdough. 

Jessie Beck Elementary Turns 60!

With this year being pretty special, with our school in its 60th year, we held an assembly to celebrate. There are not too many things better then magic. The magicians knew how to ohhhh and ahhhh the 4th-6th graders. Hard to believe this is the 60th group of fifth graders to learn at our school. Such a special time. 

The Final Day at JOS

What an amazing trip Journeys Outdoor School was this year. This morning student packed up there cabins and were checked out before breakfast. They transported their gear down to the lodge before breakfast and then filled their stomaches with their last meal, consisting of pancakes, bacon, fruit, yogurt, OJ, eggs, and grits. Stidents also did a great job of clearing dishes, wiping tables , and generally cleaning up after themselves. Students got back into trail groups after breakfast and headed outside for their last get together. 

The Last Evening at JOS

During community time this evening, the majority of students played the game of Gaga. Think of it as gladiator dodgeball in a pit. It is so much fun!  For dinner, the side of baked potatoes was a hit (surprised me), although we had 13 pounds of ort (ask you child what that is, as even learning took place around meals). Our evening activity focused on animal adaptations, specifically on those associated with birds for the hands-on exploration. 

Challenging Ourselves and More

It isn’t even dinner time yet and the fifth graders have packed so much in so far. At pond ecology, one group saw over 12 frogs (super fast and uncatchable), 2 snakes, and perhaps a turtle. Some Robin Hoods stood out at archery. During many of the first ecology hikes many young scientists collected his or her plant sample and voucher, which will be analyzed at a UNR lab and we will be part of the analysis at a later date. The challenge course seemed to be what students were excited the most about today. Starting out on the forest floor, students learned what a safety team is all about. Next, the group moved on to low ropes courses where they worked on their team safety as one student worked through the challenge. Other times, challenges were while group and required discussions and how best to approach the challenge. If the approach didn’t work, they had to listen to each other present alternative ideas. Most groups had time to make it to the famous Alpine Tower. Each student set a goal for where he or she wanted to make it to on the climb up. This beast is impressive!  I’m so proud of all the students!

Happy Faces the Morning of Day 3

Campers are up and ready for another full day of learning. Off to breakfast now. 

Day Two

Loads of more learning...and of course fun. Different groups did different activities today. Some learned the basic science of how a bow and arrow work. Many groups learned how to listen to each other, problem solve, and work together to complete aspects of the challenge course. Some groups learned about forest ecology by going on the nature hike. After dinner, the night activity focused on the scientific process and stations sure kept the kids’ interest. All 
happy smiles from this groups of scientists!

End of Day One

What a great first day at Journeys Outdoor School. Each trail group learned so much today. One group saw coyote, mountain lion, and bear scat all in the same hike!  Dinner was amazing and tummies are all full. We even had a buck outside our window as we ate dinner. Tonight was the Night Experience, where trail groups went on hikes in the forest to learn about adaptations among other things in the dark. Flashlights had to be off, but the moon was so bright it almost ruined some of the experiments. We all had moon shadows.  Many groups learned about piezoelectricity by rubbing quartz together to make it glow. Totally neat!  

Lichen and Rocks

Each trailgroup leader has specialized knowledge and interest, growth vto nag each group its own unique experience. Here, one group focused on making good observations as each tried the find his or her own rock ins de a circle while blind folded. Another group, also working on observations, took time to observe lichen in the forest. After individual observations, the students shared and learned more of the organism. 

Investigating Scat

Student observations led to one group using identification guides to try to identify some scat around camp. Some felt it was rabbit, while others thought it was deer. After 15 minutes of discussion, measuring, investigating, it was determined to be deer scat. 

We Arrived at JOS

After the quick bus ride and unloading, we have now officially started our learning. Up first, connecting with nature through an exploration hike around the area.