- 1.Oceanography
- 2.Life in a Medieval Castle
- 3.Biz Town
- 4.Science Court: Fossils, Soil and Seasons
- 5.Where Do You Think You’re Going, Christopher Columbus?
- 6.Desert Survival
- 7.Seven Wonders of the World
1.Oceanography
8:00 - 9:00 Course: Oceanography
Gr.4-8 - Room D4 - Mrs. VanSolkema
Why is the ocean salty? How do whales stay warm? What causes tides to rise and fall? How do oil spills affect ocean animals?
Students will discover the answers to these and many other fascinating questions about the ocean in this fabulous science class.
Students will learn through hands-on lessons, videos, and independent research about the geography, geology, and biology of the
earth’s last frontier – the oceans!
2.Life in a Medieval Castle
9:00-10:00 Course: Life in a Medieval Castle
Grades 3-8 - Room D4 -Mrs. Van Solkema
Students will be immersed in the color and pageantry of the Middle Ages in this class, that covers the European society from
600–1450. Students will learn about different aspects of medieval life, as they become lords and ladies, monks, knights, crusaders,
serfs, and craftspeople. Students may illuminate passages from literature after becoming "brothers" in a monastery, or map out a
fief and manor after taking an oath of homage to the lord and lady of the manor. All this and more will make the culminating
activity of a Medieval Festival come to life!
3.Biz Town
10:00-11:00 Course: Biz Town
Gr. 5-8 - Room D4 - Mrs. Van Solkema
(Students must take both first and second semesters of this class)
The Junior Achievement BizTown™ class is an excellent opportunity for the students in 5th-8th grade to learn elements of work readiness,
entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. After weekly hands-on, active participation lessons, the students will participate in the highlight
of the class – a fieldtrip to JA BizTown™. Throughout this trip students are “citizens of their community.” There, they will be introduced
to the free enterprise system through participation in a simulated town. Students may work in a bank, television station, or retail store.
They will learn to write checks, manage business finances, and pay bills, as well as working as a team member to help their businesses
succeed through their leadership, decision making, and cooperation. JA BizTown™ makes learning fun and takes what was learned in the
classroom to the real world level. This is an exceptional experience – read more about it at:
http://www.ja.org/Programs/programs_elem_biztown.shtml.
4.Science Court: Fossils, Soil and Seasons
12:30-1:30 Course: Science Court: Fossils, Soil and Seasons
Gr. 3-8 - Room D4 - Mrs. VanSolkema
In this class students will view a series of humorous videos to help them learn to challenge some common misconceptions about
science as they:
Use scientific processes and hands-on experimentation to break down the evidence, make observations and gather information
about fossils, soil and seasons.
Learn to apply core concepts in science and come to conclusions about the principles that apply to natural and physical
phenomena.
Improve their ability to recall concepts and respond to open-ended questions.
5.Where Do You Think You’re Going, Christopher Columbus?
1:30-2:30 Course: Where Do You Think You’re Going, Christopher Columbus?
Gr. 3-8 - Room D4 - Mrs. VanSolkema
Although most Americans attribute the discovery of America to Christopher Columbus, there are many others who might claim that honor.
In this Interact simulation students will research and present their surprising finds of the many explorers who may really have been
America’s discovering fathers. Defending their claims with stories from their voyages and adventures will be:
Hoei-Shin, a Chinese Buddhist monk
Brendan the Bold, an Irish Priest
Bjarni Herjulfsson, an Icelander
Leif Ericsson, a Viking
Prince Madoc, a son of a Welsh King
Christopher Columbus, the Genoese admiral
Chief Howling Wind, a Crow Indian Chief
As a culminating activity, students will become panelists who must listen to the claims, decide who really discovered America, and take
part in a post panel news conference. What a fun way to learn this important part of American history!
6.Desert Survival
2:30-3:30 Course: Desert Survival
Gr. 3-8 - Room D4 - Mrs. VanSolkema
Living in the American Southwest means that we face the possibility of having to survive in an emergency desert situation on a regular basis.
Experts tell us that desert survival is very different from mountain or wilderness survival situations due to the arid conditions and high
temperatures that are often encountered. Students in this class will learn how to become a “thinking” desert dweller, and what the “ABC’s
of desert survival are, including how to create a survival kit and how to avoid danger in the desert.
7.Seven Wonders of the World
3:30-4:30 Course: Seven Wonders of the World
Gr. 3-8 - Room D4 - Mrs. VanSolkema
You may have thought there were just 7 wonders of the world, but there’s much more! In this fascinating class students will learn about
the 7 wonders of the ancient and modern worlds, the forgotten wonders of the world, the underwater wonders of the world, and even the
7 man-made wonders of the world! Students will research their favorite wonder and produce a slide show to share their new knowledge with
the class.