Expedition Express: I Love the Mountains!
An expedition that explores how challenges make us stronger… and how our Sierra Nevada Mountains are special. In case study #1, we will learn the importance of persevering through physical and emotional difficulty. We will learn about goal-setting in the context of mountaineering and later use that knowledge to set academic goals for ourselves at conference time. In case study #2, we will identify the 6 major peaks visible in our area and appreciate the connection to our local landscape of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In case study #3, we will explore the elements of weather and how they affect life in our mountains.

Questions to Ask Your Child:
• What are some things that good crew members do?
• What are the SIERRA norms?
• How have you used a SIERRA norm to overcome a challenge this week?
• What are some examples of teamwork you have seen in your crew?

Crew News
All ABOARD!!!…Bell Crew! We have been out trailblazing in the mountains this week. Our first hike up to Lake Angela was a tremendous success! The first graders managed “The Great Switchback Challenge” with strength and adventure. (Be sure to ask your child about those 14– or was it 15?– switchbacks!) They also thoroughly enjoyed some Solitude and Reflection time—showing amazing respect and integrity for the peace and beauty around them.

In the classroom, we have been deepening our understanding of the SIERRA norms through literature and small group discussions. We also had an expert, Kevin Hickey, come in to teach us about the importance of teamwork in mountaineering. Kevin led our crew through several exciting initiatives to foster communication and cooperation. Be sure to ask your children about the hula-hoop and marble challenges! Last but not least, the first graders have put their beginning reading skills to the test by working on our first complex text challenge: reading the Hiking Plan for our first fieldwork. In pairs they used multiple strategies to read their “strip” (one step of the plan), then together we sequenced the strips and read the complete plan. It was exciting to see them tackle a difficult reading task with adventure and strength.

SELS News
SELS paperwork: Please be sure to turn in all outstanding paperwork as soon as possible.

Volunteers: We will begin welcoming literacy volunteers next Monday, 9/12. I will send out a google.doc with the list of volunteers.

Future Fieldwork: Tuesday, 9/13 = Peak #2; Thursday, 9/22 = Peak #3

Mark Your Calendars:
September 20: School Picture Day
September 23: All School Dance @ 6pm
October 6: Gratitude Evening
October 7: Summit Day

Highlights
Students: The Bell Crew supported each other beautifully on our first hike!

Parent Volunteers: Many thanks to all of our chaperones/drivers to Lake Angela (Lorna, Loren, Hanna, Tim, Michelle, Jessica, Saira, Stefanie, and Jill). We greatly appreciate your upbeat attitude and your happy-hiking attitude! Thank you to Kevin for being our expert!