7-8 GRADE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE:
(12-14 YO) - Read seasonal reflections here
PRE-ADOLESCENCE, PUBERTY, AND THE BEGINNING OF ADOLESCENCE: NATURE AS A VEHICLE FOR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT.
THIS IS A PERIOD OF RAPID PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGE. PRE-ADOLESCENT INTROSPECTION, THE SEARCH FOR PERSONAL IDENTITY, THE QUEST FOR THE MEANING OF LIFE MAY FIND EXPRESSION THROUGH INTERACTION WITH NATURE IN POETRY AND DRAMA. THROUGH ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT WITH THE NATURAL WORLD, YOUNG PEOPLE LEARN DEEP CONCENTRATION AND EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF ACCOMPLISHMENT.
DURING PRE-ADOLESCENCE OUR “ADVENTURES” FOLLOW A THEME TITLED “HERO’S JOURNEY – NAVIGATION AND NOURISHMENT”. THE ADVENTURE CYCLES EMPHASIZE TAKING HEALTHY RISKS THAT MIGHT PROMOTE, RESPECT FOR DIFFERENCES, PROBLEM SOLVING, SELF-ESTEEM AND COMPASSION. STUDENTS KNOW THIS HEALTHY RISK TAKING AS “BE HERE, BE SAFE, SET GOALS, BE HONEST, LET GO AND MOVE ON”. AS AN EXAMPLE STUDENTS MAY CREATE THEIR OWN BOW DRILL FIRE KITS AND LEARN KNIFE USE, SAFETY AND CARVING TECHNIQUES WHILE PRACTICING COURAGE AND PERSEVERANCE. THEY WILL ALSO EXPLORE FURTHER AWAY FROM CAMPUS NEAR THE JORDAN RIVER TO STUDY RIPARIAN ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABLY HARVEST FIRE MAKING MATERIALS. EACH GRADE LEVEL FOCUSES ON A DIFFERENT GUIDING QUESTION ENDING IN DEEPER AND LONG TERM SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY 6TH GRADE: WHO AM I? 7TH GRADE: WHO AM I IN THE COMMUNITY? 8TH GRADE: HOW DO I LEAD IN MY COMMUNITY?
LATE SUMMER: Way Finding and Map Making - I CAN PRACTICE RESPONSIBILITY BY DESCRIBING AND APPLYING SYSTEMIC DECISION MAKING TO THE 6TH -8TH GRADE ADVENTURE NORMS OF “BE HERE”, “BE SAFE”, “BE HONEST”, “SET GOALS” AND “LET GO AND MOVE ON”
FALL: Geo-cache & Treasure map - I CAN PRACTICE CRAFTSMANSHIP BY CREATING MY OWN SCALE-ABLE MAP AND REVISE DRAFTS TO CREATE A FINAL PRODUCT.
WINTER: Ethnobotany & Kapa Haka - I CAN PRACTICE PERSEVERANCE BY CONTINUALLY TAKING RISKS OF FAILURE AT AN UNFAMILIAR OR CHALLENGING TASK.
SPRING: Malama Honua: Permaculture and School Garden - I CAN PRACTICE PERSEVERANCE BY STEPPING TO THE EDGE OF MY COMFORT ZONE AND GIVING BACK TO MY COMMUNITY.
OVERVIEW OF SEASONAL TOPICS AND ACTIVITIES CAN BE READ HERE:
K-8 SCIENCE CONNECTIONS CAN BE READ HERE: Under construction