"There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes!"
Friday Field Study - November 2, 2018
Friday Field Study - October 19, 2018
Friday Field Study - October 5, 2018
First Friday Field Study - Sept 7, 2018
Students will be going out in grade level groups with a science focus that can be greatly explored throughout the year. The 5th grade River Otters will be venturing out on Fridays with Troy and the 6th graders will be with me. We will be following up on questions left behind by the current 7th graders who studies water quality in the Clear Creek Natural Area (CCNA). The 6th graders will be studying the complex relationship between the Riparian area and the quality of water flowing through it.
Field Study Philosophy
Field study is a key component of our environmental science curriculum. Field study develops observation skills, a deeply rooted sense of place, and irreplaceable shared experiences among classmates. In no sense are these days "optional" school days. Quite the opposite; they are foundational to learning at Springwater.
Field Gear
We go out in the field rain or shine. If a child doesn't have adequate clothing to safely be out in the elements for 3 solid hours, they have the option of getting what they need from the lost and found or staying in the office.
As a rule, we go hiking in the mornings, eat lunch back in the classroom, and spend the remainder of the day learning in the classroom. Please help your child to be comfortable on the hike and ready to learn once we're back in the classroom by outfitting him or her in:
Required on cold/rainy days:
Volunteer Role
We couldn’t provide this educational opportunity without the help of parent volunteers. Please remind your child that the parents are teachers during Friday Field Study, and to give them the same respect that teachers are, plus an extra measure of thanks for giving their time!
The primary role of adult volunteers is to model behaviors for the students: Leave No Trace, respect for nature, and scientific observation behaviors.
Be on time. Kindly arrive at least 15 minutes before we are scheduled to go into the field so the teacher can brief you on the plan for the day.
Leave No Trace. Snacks are eaten only during scheduled snack stops. This prevents crumbs and bits of trash from being dropped along the trail. Sticks, rocks, bones and other treasures will be left where they're found. Animals are observed in place.
Model quiet respect. When possible, redirect off-task behavior in a way that doesn’t distract the group (gentle hand on the shoulder or finger to the lips).
Commit to the experience. Limit your conversations with other adults and focus on supporting the inquiry process with the kids. Put your cell phone on mute and use it only to communicate with the teacher and school.
Written by Jen!
Field Study Philosophy
Field study is a key component of our environmental science curriculum. Field study develops observation skills, a deeply rooted sense of place, and irreplaceable shared experiences among classmates. In no sense are these days "optional" school days. Quite the opposite; they are foundational to learning at Springwater.
Field Gear
We go out in the field rain or shine. If a child doesn't have adequate clothing to safely be out in the elements for 3 solid hours, they have the option of getting what they need from the lost and found or staying in the office.
As a rule, we go hiking in the mornings, eat lunch back in the classroom, and spend the remainder of the day learning in the classroom. Please help your child to be comfortable on the hike and ready to learn once we're back in the classroom by outfitting him or her in:
Required on cold/rainy days:
- Nutritionally dense snack (cheese, energy bar, etc.)
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Warm layers
- Rain boots or waterproof hiking boots
- Change of socks (to wear back in class when we get soaked)
- Rain pants
- Warm hat
- Gloves
- Hand warmers
- Thermos of warm drink or snack
- Full change of clothes (to wear back in class when get soaked)
- Long pants
- Sunscreen
- Sunhat
- Water bottle
Volunteer Role
We couldn’t provide this educational opportunity without the help of parent volunteers. Please remind your child that the parents are teachers during Friday Field Study, and to give them the same respect that teachers are, plus an extra measure of thanks for giving their time!
The primary role of adult volunteers is to model behaviors for the students: Leave No Trace, respect for nature, and scientific observation behaviors.
Be on time. Kindly arrive at least 15 minutes before we are scheduled to go into the field so the teacher can brief you on the plan for the day.
Leave No Trace. Snacks are eaten only during scheduled snack stops. This prevents crumbs and bits of trash from being dropped along the trail. Sticks, rocks, bones and other treasures will be left where they're found. Animals are observed in place.
Model quiet respect. When possible, redirect off-task behavior in a way that doesn’t distract the group (gentle hand on the shoulder or finger to the lips).
Commit to the experience. Limit your conversations with other adults and focus on supporting the inquiry process with the kids. Put your cell phone on mute and use it only to communicate with the teacher and school.
Written by Jen!