Week 5 Day 2 Night and Day

After starting with Gratitude Circle, we played a game of “Daytime/ Nighttime” (similar to red light green light but with a strategic twist involving a nocturnal predator owl and diurnal squirrels). 

Then  we explored different ways of tracking time throughout history (such as obelisks, sundials, water clocks, mechanical and quartz clocks as well as modern atomic clocks). And they made their own sundials and tested them out. After snack break and practicing their original play, we discussed what sunlight is and how it is created through nuclear fusion. To help them grasp the concept we played “Nuclear Fusion Capture the Flag”. But rather than a flag, they had to capture and combine Hydrogen cards and take them to the Nuclear Fusion bank to fuse together and release photons creating sunlight to get a point for their team.   Then, while cooling off, we did a local animal sort into nocturnal/ crepuscular/diurnal categories and discussed adaptations each one has acquired to help them survive. Tomorrow they will design and draw their own fantasy nocturnal animal incorporating some of the adaptations we discussed today. Then we ate lunch, worked on the play some more and hiked to the creek. Some explorers caught fish, played with clay or made clay paint. Thomas caught a baby catfish from the creek (see pic below). All caught creatures are just observed and then released back into nature. Lastly, during dismissal some explorers continued playing theatre games or 4 square volleyball.