SPEECH CLASS
 
This week found the eighth graders sharing demonstration speeches with Mrs. Harper and their classmates. Wow! Did we ever have a great week! There were lots of super cooking demonstrations (with samples:) plus other interesting topics such as a magic trick, volleyball skills, origami paper airplanes, hairstyling, string figures (Jacob's Ladder), and woodworking. Thank you, parents, for encouraging your children and providing them with the extra props they may have needed for this speech. Everyone did a fine job. Next on our agenda is a persuasive speech. We are all looking forward to the next performances.
SIMPLE MACHINES
Mrs. Cabell visited on Tuesday, January 5th, to demonstrate simple machines from ancient cultures. Students used fire starters, pump drills, and atl-atls. Students will be comparing the machines used in the demonstration to the machines used today.
Mrs. Cabell helped students use the atl-atl, an extension of an arm (lever) to increase the speed and distance of the spear. On their own students experimented with several tools used to start fires.
SLOW FLIER LAB
Students were challenged to create a paper airplane that would fly the slowest. In order to find the winner, students first created planes.
Then they flew their creations, measured the distance flown, and timed the distance aloft.
Everyone recorded the data that would be entered in a spread sheet the next day.
AND THE WINNER IS.....
Y-CAMP
WE'RE HOME FROM Y-CAMP AND LOOK WHAT WE DID!
First, students created a circular contract. On the interior of the circle, they listed all the characteristics that they agreed were good for their community. Next, on the outside of the circle, they listed all those things that were not acceptable within their community. They finished by signing around the circle. This contract will be posted in the classroom as a reminder of their agreement.
Students worked together to assemble a Native American tipi. During the entire construction, our lead naturalist, Mike, explained the cultural traditions and beliefs as well as the physics related to the structure. After the tipi was up, students enjoyed some of the games that the Native American's played.
The seventh and eighth graders began to work on trust among each other through a series of activities. Willow-in-the-wind was a difficult challenge for some, but everyone began to gain more confidence in their peers.
The first evening at camp was time to spend building friendships around the campfire. Both grades roasted s'mores and played cards together. The following night was the Night Hike. Sorry, no pictures. No one was allowed flashlights. Students learned about how their night vision works and how animals adapt to live in the dark.
Thursday morning was spent completing challenges that tested patience, persistence, and cooperation.
Later in the day, students faced the challenges of survival and the rock wall or the cat walk.
  
Even the chaperones participated in the cat walk.
Friday morning, the final challenge was the zip-line.
All 32 students and Mrs. Bussan wish to thank our chaperones - Karrie Niedert, Greg Zumbach, and Bill Wolfgram. We appreciate your time and support at Y-camp!
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