Summer 2023
Level 3
Goodbye Spring, Hello Summer – Outdoor Safety and Rules
Welcome to Compass Summer Outdoor School!
This class aimed to engage students in fun and interactive activities that helped them learn about the rules of outdoor school and how to stay safe in nature. We got to know our teachers and classmates and got prepared for a fun summer of outdoor learning!
July 8
Colours of the Light
Today, we elaborated on the outdoor safety and rules we were introduced to last week. Then, we discovered how sunlight is made up of many colours, and explored how rainbows are made. All the while, we practiced our manners and learned how to be respectful to nature and each other.
July 15
Shadow Adventures
Today we concluded our first unit by learning about shadows and how we can manipulate them in different ways. We created funny faces using our shadows, we looked at the shadows cast by different plants, and we rounded off the day with an exciting game of shadow tag.
July 22
Who is Hiding Under That Log?
We learned about the curious creatures that live in our forests, the many ways they move, and the many places they hide. We studied the anatomy of insects by studying the shapes and patterns they’re comprised of, and subsequently used our creativity to create imaginary insects of our own. At the end of the day, we played games where we learned to wiggle and slither like bugs at a variety of speeds and rhythms.
July 29
Fly and Catch! Insects with Wings
Today we put our engineering, technology, and design skills to the test by creating a minibeast paradise–equipped with all that the little creatures in the park need to live. Later, we expanded our insect vocabulary while learning the types of insects, their life cycles, and their characteristics. Using a partial image of insects, we used our artistic skills to fill in the rest. Most importantly, we learned to respect and empathize with even the tiniest of beasts that live among us.
August 5
Bug Hotel
Today we were detectives and searched for clues in our environment about which creatures had been there and what they had been doing there, like munched leaves and beetle bark. We took full advantage of the diverse environments around the bog by searching for creatures on the ground, in the trees, and in the water. After finding animals in the water, we read a book all about water insects. We then did some math and warmed our bodies up with a traffic light game and some insect-inspired dance moves!
August 12
What Lives in this Pool?
Today, students learned about the changing tides of the ocean, and how they’re influenced by the moon and gravity. Then, we created a miniature model of the ocean to understand how these changing tides affect the plants and animals who live in the water. Lastly, we completed a tide pool scavenger hunt, during which we became familiar with the animals who live in our local tide pools.
August 19
Term Summary
Today we recapped the concepts we have been learning about throughout the whole term. We reflected on the summer we have spent together, like the friends we have made, the places we have gone, and the exciting things we have done and seen.