See What’s Happening in TK-6th Grade Outdoor Classroom This Week!

TK/K

This week, we will be learning about forces and motion! The learners will be making simple machines, including pulleys and levers. Learners will be able to create different ramps to test different objects to see how things move. They’ll work collaboratively to test the the speed of items when pushing or pulling. Observations will be made on how speed changes with different forces and motions. We will also be using our trees to discover how levers work.

TK/K’s nature table will be centered around bees! We will be learning the important role that bees play in life. We will be doing a variety of activities to learn about bees and pollen. Learners will have the opportunity to taste test honey. Different art activities centered around bees will be around our yard for the week, as well. Learners will learn the importance of pollen and will be able to spread “pollen” around our yard as an activity. We will also be planting some new plants in our yard.

1st grade

Our first-grade learners are collaborating and participating in activities that form a thriving community. Through hands-on sensory play, art, and mud, they are working together focusing on communication, imagination, and exploration. They will then use these skills to develop and build an outdoor community. Learners have been given different community roles and are learning about trading and bartering. The different roles include builder, cashier, buyer, and collector. Learners are discovering that each role is vital so that their community can thrive. They will continue this next week. This is connected to their classroom Driving Question: How can I design a new community by identifying the best elements of our community?

2nd grade

Second grade is continuing to learn and explore through play in our outdoor classroom. Building has become a popular activity. Learners work together to take large wood blocks from a shed to a designated construction zone. Learners build whatever their imagination comes up with. Due to an increasing interest in our science center, we will be doing some exploding experiments next week! We will see how different fruits react with baking soda and vinegar.

3rd/4th grade

Our 3rd and 4th grade class will be experimenting next week! As both grades are focusing on geology, we will be creating our own rocks! 3rd and 4th grade will be able to watch their crystals form as they make rock candy! Learners will make observations on how their crystals form. The week after (May 30th), we will be taking a walk to Vasquez Rocks, where we will join an expert hiker! On our hike in Vasquez rocks, learners will be exposed to the geology around the park. Learners should wear appropriate walking attire (tennis shoes, comfortable clothes) and pack some extra water!

5th/6th grade

Busy like a bee! We launched a mini outdoor classroom lesson, where we are learning about the importance of bee and pollination. Learners are placed in groups, where they are building a LEGO robot (yes, it moves!) and creating animation in our exploratorium! After finishing our exploratorium work, we will take our lesson outside, where we will study more about bees and pollination. This is an important lesson for the success and understanding of our garden.