2nd-3rd Grade

Power of Reading

Our fall expedition this year is The Power of Reading. In our first Case Study, the students will explore “ How do people overcome learning challenges to learn to read?” Students will dive into a variety of narrative books that encourage them to reflect on the challenges people face to learn to read and how it relates to how they learn. 

During the second Case Study, students will answer the guiding questions of “What are barriers people face when trying to access education?” These barriers can be both physical, geographical, or based on social laws. In this case study, students will have the opportunity to talk to read non-fiction text to learn about the physical challenges some people faced. The final product will be an informative paragraph and a map of the country. This case study will meet Social Studies geography standards. 

Boise Foothills

What happens when the city meets wilderness? That’s what students aim to find out as they explore the Boise Foothills in our spring expedition. The first case study finds them studying what animals make the foothills home and the impact these animals have on their environment. Through reading non-fiction texts and visiting the foothills to look for traces of these animals, the students gather the information that they later use in the creation of an informational project.  Throughout this expedition, students visit their “Observation Spots” in the foothills four times on fieldwork. Observations of impact and changes in their spots are recorded on-site in field journals. Spending ten quiet minutes of observation goes a long way in helping the students find out what does happen when the city meets wilderness.

 

Next year’s Expedition (alternating years)

In our Pollination Expedition, students discover the connection between butterflies and flowers. They begin by observing and learning the life cycle of the Painted Lady Butterfly. They each have their own specimen to observe and record their observations in Science Journals. In addition to gaining information through observation, students also take notes about butterflies from non-fiction texts. These notes are then turned into books independently written and illustrated by each student.

During the second case study, the crews discover all the parts of a flower. Students dissect flowers to identify the different parts, as well as raise Brassica plants to observe the life cycle. As a final product, students create a scientific drawing of a flower with all the parts labeled. The service portion of this expedition will find crews out in Anser’s Butterfly Garden, tending it and making improvements.

What happens when the city meets wilderness? That’s what students aim to find out as they explore the Boise Foothills. The first case study finds them studying what animals make the foothills home and the impact these animals have on their environment. Through reading non-fiction texts and visiting the foothills to look for traces of these animals, the students gather information that they later use in the creation of an informational poster.

The second case study asks: What are the connections between the weather and human impact on the Boise Foothills? Students learn specifically how rain and temperature affect the soil. They learn firsthand about trail repair and how to help lessen the damage caused by erosion. Working with Radio Boise, students create PSA’s to advocate for responsible trail use to help sustain the trail system and natural environment. Throughout these two case studies, students visit their “Observation Spots” in the foothills four times on fieldwork. Observations of impact and changes in their spots are recorded on-site in field journals. Spending ten quiet minutes of observation goes a long way in helping the students find out what does happen when the city meets wilderness.