- SELS Summit Day: Oct. 4, 9 am - 3 pm.
- NO SCHOOL: Oct. 7: Teacher Contract Day.
- All-School Photo/Makeup Photo Day: Oct. 15
- EL National Conference: Oct. 17- 19.
- Minimum Day Week: Goal-Setting Conferences: Oct. 28 - Nov. 1
- Bear Walk / Halloween: Oct. 31
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The Bell Crew has been working hard to learn the rhythms and routines of kindergarten. Students have learned how to “read to self” and “read to partner” by looking at the pictures and telling a story. They have spent time playing and reading with their 4/5th Grade buddies as well as their 8th Grade buddies. As a crew, they have read over 15 books about friendship and have developed their own criteria for which behaviors they want to cultivate in their crew. This week, they are tallying “evidence” of good crew member behavior. As you can see by the tallies in the picture, the Bell Crew is especially kind and inclusive!
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The MinBorg Crew is off and running in the expedition titled, "I've Been Working on the Railroad." In this expedition, students will not only learn the story of the building of the transcontinental railroad but also the personal stories of those involved. The crew has taken their learning outside the classroom walls including a walking trip to Donner Memorial State Park and a tour through Donner Summit's Tunnel 6 and the snow sheds, with flashlights in hand. Already, the students impress their teachers with their background knowledge of the obstacles that railroad workers faced. Student's look forward to diving even deeper in the next couple of weeks when the crew will ride the Amtrak train to Sacramento and stay overnight in a time-period Victorian mansion.
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The Welch Crew kicked off their fall Expedition, "I've Been Working on the Railroad," with fieldwork to Donner Memorial State Park to learn about the Transcontinental Railroad. Students brought their new knowledge back to the classroom to begin collaborating on building background knowledge to write their first opinion paper. Ms. Welch is looking forward to hearing their views on the most difficult part of building the railroad.
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What a fun and exciting September! Akers Crew kicked off their Gold Rush Expedition with a game simulation of the three routes prospectors took to California. When they arrived at the gold fields, the students struck it rich as they found gold! The Crew also had their first overnight to Malakoff Diggins and Empire Mine. The students traveled around the old town of Malakoff and visited such buildings as the Mercantile, Horse Carriage, and Salon. The root beer (Sassafras) was a big hit! The next day, they toured Empire Mine and learned about the Bourne Family and the working mine. They saw a replica of the mine, enjoyed a blacksmith demonstration, and sat in the rig that took miners down into the mine shaft. Akers Crew looks forward to October as they will learn about the outliers of the Gold Rush and have their second overnight to Coloma, James Marshall Historic Park, and dress up and participate in the Gold Rush Live day.
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The Brisbin Crew has been hard at work learning about California’s rich history via the largest mass migration in US History- the California Gold Rush! Their first case study, The Adventurers, focuses on the routes prospectors took to try their hand at striking it rich in the goldfields. Students engaged in fieldwork to Donner Lake, Empire Mine, and Malakoff Diggins to explore what it’s like to strike it rich, and learn about how people lived during the time of working mines and mining towns. Currently, students are creating maps of the three routes prospectors took to California and writing an opinion-based piece on which route they would choose! Our anchor text, written by Sid Fleischman, is titled By the Great Horn Spoon. Students are enjoying the adventures of a boy and his butler who travel around Cape Horn to earn money to bring back home to Boston!
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During their recent Walton’s Grizzly fieldwork, Worster Crew endured many challenges during their stay. Students had to work together to understand and respect one another, to be open to new ideas and to grapple through tough situations. The Crew did many activities including the Nitro Crossing, Log walk, Spider Web, Vertical PlayPen, Marble Run, and a service project with the 8th graders. Every student persevered through both physical and mental challenges. They learned to cooperate in teams and to push their limits individually. Although students weren’t always perfect, they persisted and came out stronger.
*Written by students, Averi and Oona.
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The Santos Crew practiced their navigation skills at Grouse Ridge. Students mapped a lake, used triangulation to find geocaches, and built shelters. This crew appreciates the beauty of nature.
In two weeks, Santos Crew will go to SF to go sailing in the bay and learn how to apply their navigation skills to ocean travel. Students will also start studying the medieval and renaissance period.
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McMains Crew brought the leadership and adventure this month, beginning with a leadership retreat in Sierra Buttes. Students hiked 8 miles to climb the fire lookout tower and learned how to lead team-building initiatives with professionalism. Then they invaded the Worster Crew at Walton's Grizzly Lodge and ran the initiatives. The following Monday, they had a reading adventure, shopping at Grassroots for their classroom library and then curled up with their new books at the Washoe County Library - it looks like a botanical garden! 2 days later, they were in kayaks on Lake Tahoe in 40-degrees and dumping rain showers - what a tough crew!
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Please donate to the wonderful fieldwork program you see in this newsletter. This is only possible with your continued support.
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Sierra Expeditionary Learning School
Phone: (530) 582-3701
Fax: (530) 582-3703
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