Going Nordic with Dead Bugs, Wedges, Cold Solos -- and Lots of Laughs

We at Explorer West are ever more amazed at how adept 7^th graders are at cross-country skiing. They have the perfect blend of budding coordination; let’s “just do it” hunger for learning, and a whatever attitude about falling.

This seventh grade is setting a high mark with their quick progress. Despite crunchy (icy and hard) conditions for the first two weeks, they are moving quickly through the basics of Dead Bug (rotating while on your back to get your skis downhill and under you after a fall), diagonal striding (the classic kick and glide), and a variety of turns (step, kick, wedge).

Their prowess at gaining skills quickly lets us get right to the real business of backcountry travel. They are heading out snowy tracks around Mount Catherine to log miles, take in snowy beauty, share a trail lunch, have council talks, and sit solo.

Explorer West borrowed the council talk from Native Americans. All students speak to a meaningful topic or question, but one at a time. Everyone else listens. No interruptions. Explorer West students never fail with their honesty and insights.

The solo sit is also a fixture in our backpacking program, where students will sit (safely monitored at a distance by adult trip leaders) to journal (or not) and think (or not). The idea is to be quiet and alone in nature, humbled by our wee spot in the universe – and glad to be there. A solo snow sit has the added value of the profound silence offered by sound dampening crystals. Plus, there is the confidence that you can get yourself there and back, safe and warm.

Congrats to Kirt, our Outdoor Ed director, for his careful communications with the avalanche beset Summit Nordic Center, for helping to formalize our Nordic skills and learning sequence, and for bringing in Morgan Miller, instructor extraordinaire.

We are grateful for the assistance of all the EW parents who joined us for our Nordic days. Special thanks to Karl “Knut” Guntheroth, an alumni parent and expert skier. Knut knows the snow, and knows that fun in the snow is a combo of adequate skill and plenty of laughs.

That’s how we roll in the snow.

Bjorn (Ben)

Our Trip Up To the Mountains

by Autumn, 6th grade
We went out on our homemade snowshoes, and we went through a lot of stopping to fix our snowshoes and add modifications. We managed not to destroy our snowshoes, but we took them off at lunchtime and played a lot of games. We played Camouflage; you play with one person it and the other people get 20 seconds to run and hide. The person who is "it" cannot move from the place that he or she is in. The people who hide must be able to see the person who is "it". The person calls the people in witch they see getting the people out.

My friend and I built a house in the snow. We did this by accident when we fell into a really really deep tree well. We dug it out a little more, and we put a tarp over it, and we had a nice little snow house under ground.

We also went sledding down little hills on tarps and bags. We went flying down the hills rolling and laughing and slamming into the snow at the end. We found a few big hills where we went really fast, especially on my tarp. We also played run and scream. We play this by running as far as you can scream. When you stop screaming, you stop. The person who can run the farthest wins. I lost!
My friend and I kept getting stuck in postholes and I got pretty wet by the end of the day! Kristin showed us how to use compasses, and we played some games with them. I found out that compasses are pretty handy and a pretty easy to use. But we need some practice!
On our way back, we took off our snowshoes and went sledding on a hug hill. My tarp went so fast! We even made a little jump for our sledding, but it did not work. Next week we will be building snow caves.

Sixth Graders Begin Building Their Snowshoes

One of the most exciting things about building the snowshoes is that the students are exposed to many different tools and skills. With a solid plan under their belts, the 6th graders have begun the process of assembling their 2008-2009 snowshoes. They began last week with the bindings which involved cutting the fabric and using a punch and grommet set. The buckles were sewn to the laces with a needle and thread, and they used a drill insert the "crampon" screws through the fabric and metal plate.

This week Kirt gave a presentation on the native willow being used for the frame, and then the students went outside to trim the branches off the whips. Several brave families took the whips home to soak overnight in bathtubs filled with warm water and biodegradeable fabric softener. Today the bending and shapin gof the frames begins...

World Religions in 6th Grade Ancient Civilizations

One goal of the Ancient Civilizations” social studies sequence at Explorer West Middle School is basic literacy in world religions. While there is no prayer or promotion of any particular religion at Explorer West, we believe it is valuable for students to gain basic knowledge around the practices and beliefs of different religions. Public schools are often hesitant to venture into comparative religions because of controversy over the separation of church and state provisions of the U.S. Constitution.

Religions guide some of humanity’s highest aspirations to ethical behavior, as well as giving rise to remarkable art, music, and dance. Of course, religion has also been at the heart of conflict at many times in history.

In order to give students an insider’s perspective, Kumar’s mom, Rinku, visited the 6^th grade to share the artifacts and rituals of puja (worship) in Hinduism. Students viewed artifacts and icons representing different deities, and the class ended with them enjoying traditional sweets.

As the 6^th graders study civilizations from different continents, they explore world religions originating in those regions. Beginning with Paleolithic cave art connected to Cro-Magnon hunter-gatherers, students examine the purposes, symbols, and rituals of religious practice. Major religions covered in this Ancient Civilizations course include Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Taoism, and Confucianism.

One of the important and typical realizations for students in our study of world religions is that, although diverse in their outward expression and organizations, religions have more in common than not. Also, it usually comes as a surprise to students that Islam, Christianity, and Judaism all share the same god, as well as the succession of Old Testament prophets. Religion, one of humanity's common roots, deserves careful exploration.

Thanks to Rinku for making the mysteries of Hindu puja less mysterious!

Fall Waste Audit

Good news from this year's fall waste audit. Seattle residents and businesses compost and recycle 40% of their total waste. Explorer West composts and recycles almost 60%! But, that's still not good enough, so each advisory has come up with strategies for improvement and acted these out at an assembly.

A big issue identified from this year's audit was that 75% of the compost was food that was still edible (half a sandwich, an apple, etc.). Students suggested that they could bring that food home or save it for the next lunch. Another idea was for students to pack their own lunch so they could bring just what they knew they would eat.

Another highlight includes a decrease in overall garbage weight from 16 lbs. per day last fall to 9.5 lbs. this year. That's a 40% reduction!!!

Our next waste audit is scheduled for late winter.

Weeding and Juggling in the New Native Plants Garden!

Last spring saw the completion of the Native Plants Garden, a class gift and "labor of love" from the graduating class of 2008. Thanks to Andi (Dakota's mom) for organizing a summer watering crew, the young plants flourished and look great!
Weeds also blossomed, so Ben's advisees wasted no time, earning Jolly Ranchers for their weeding prowess.

Ben's advisees gloat over a heap of vanquished weeds.

Students have quickly discovered that the garden is great for...

READING!

LUNCHING!

JUGGLING JUICE BOXES!

Come see for yourself!

Fall Outdoor Trips a Sunny Success!

In addition to launching classes and advisory groups, the first week of school witnessed waterproofing of boots, pitching tents, lighting stoves, checking gear, and hilarious (but always informative!) "Leave No Trace" camping skits. Detailed preparation paid off when the whole school departed in separate ways.



















The 6th graders camped at Fort Worden on the Olympic Peninsula, exploring the tidelands, forests, and decommissioned military bunkers. Our youngest middle schoolers proved themselves able campers and camp chefs!

Three separate 7th grade backpacking groups entered the Alpine Lakes Wilderness at different trail heads, including Lake Melakwa, Lake Dorothy, and Snow Lake. They navigated switchbacks and swatted mosquitoes with equal measures of intensity and good humor, and savored high lakes in glorious weather.



















Two 8th grade groups backpacked the shoulders of Mt. Rainier, exploring Glacier Basin and Owhyhigh Lakes for world famous views of the mountain, plus mountain goats, marmots, deer, pika -- and bears! These first two weeks of school set a high standard for an exciting and productive school year.



















Our thanks and congratulations go out to new Outdoor Education Director, Kirt Hodges, for a job well done. The Outdoor Ed leadership shoes are big ones to fill after Kristin's founding of this banner program and more than a decade of her guiding hand!

8th Grade Awash in Nature on the Olympic Coast!

A rare break in the clouds offered this silvery sunset
on the Olympic Coast.

EW students experienced the full force and beauty of nature during last week's spring trips. Meticulous pre-trip gear checks paid off, as nature did not fail to provide fair challenge. On and off during the week, heavy rains inundated the Olympic Peninsula and Puget Sound areas where the 6th, 7th, ad 8th grade spring trips took place.

The 6th performed trail work on Cypress Island in the San Juans, while the 7th graders maintained trails on the Big Quilcene River on the east slope of the Olympic Mountains.

Hiking between 4 and 10 miles each day, in three separate groups the 8th graders backpacked the pristine Olympic Coast between the Ozette River on the North and Rialto Beach on the South.






The 8th grade trip is no "walk in the park." Hiking the rugged Olympic Coast entails miles of rock hopping and scrambling over headlands. Rainfall made for extra slippery footing this year.

Campfires, rope swings, and abundant wildlife
provided fun and surprises.

A doe and her newborn fawn walked the stretch of beach between the surf and driftwood where students sat in quiet reflection, journaling.

Outdoor education remains a central component of Explorer West's mission. These trips take great effort on the part of staff and students, from careful preparation (thanks go to parents for much of this!) to everyone's best intentions and exertions out in the field. Nature the teacher provides a tremendous range of lessons for our students: independence and team spirit, physical trial and accomplishment, self-sufficiency and collaboration, and last but not least, adolescent drama and comedy on the stage of nature.

The only"trace" left by the class of 2008 is now erased by tides.
A fresh beach awaits the class of 2009.

UW Jackson School of International Studies Visits 8th Grade Global Studies

The 8th grade has been studying governance and global economics. Yes, they know all about the WTO, IMF, WB, UN Millennium Development Goals, outsourcing, micro-lending, fair trade, and arguments for and against globalized economics!

To add a sense of the great academic, service, travel, and employment opportunities awaiting them outside the walls of the Global Studies classroom, on Thursday, May 8, the 8th grade class enjoyed a blast of higher education from four students from the University of Washington's Jackson School of International Studies.

This energetic and well-informed quartet of political science students broke the students into three groups to study apparel, mining, and coffee industries in Guatemala. Our visitors had all traveled to Guatemala to study last summer.
Studying statistics, first hand accounts, and photographs, our students learned about the hazards and limitations of marginal employment, and the struggles of labor organizers in Guatemala. They also explored solutions to be pursued here in the U.S. Finally, each of the three groups presented a poster outlining issues and solutions for the class.

The class ended with 8th graders asking questions to learn more about the wide world of study and career opportunities awaiting them in global affairs and the growing green economy.

Connor designed a lovely thank you card for the class to sign, and Ben heard back from one Jackson School student that she was so inspired by their level of engagement, enthusiasm and intelligence that was now redirecting herself towards teaching. Well done, 8th grade!

Bella Roma!

It's amazing what you can see during a week in Rome! The annual 8th grade trip lucked out this year with fantastic weather, so we were out and about all day every day. Maripat did an excellent job of preparing the students for the trip in their Latin classes! Each student researched a different landmark and gave a presentation to the class. Petyr, Virgil, Kristin and Mr. Hundley also contributed their expertise to the success of the trip.

After a long flight, the excitement was palpable as we drove into Rome, and students recognized places like the Colliseum and Palatine Hill. We unpacked at the hotel and then set out to get our bearings and visit the Pantheon. After an early dinner (most Romans sit down for an evening meal around 8pm) and gelato, we meandered back to the hotel to hunker down and try to get some sleep.

Bright and early (VERY early for those with a bit of jet lag) Monday morning we set out for the Piazza Navona to meet our Ancient Rome tour guide. The colorful piazza, a former site for ancient Roman games, came alive as we waited surrounded by Bernini sculptures, local artists, and the stunning Church of St. Agnes in Agone. The tour was a mixture of very old (the Forum), old (the Trevi Fountain), and modern (HUGE jars of Nutella). We also visited the Palatine Hill, where the Roman elite made their homes and played soccer and frisbee in the Circus Maximus.

Day 2 included many more sites including a trip to the Colliseum, St. Peter in Chains, more soccer and frisbee above the Domus Aurea, gelato and delicious food.

On Day 3 we divided into our smaller groups and explored the city while slowly making our way toward the Vatican. Each group chose different things, some of which included visiting Hadrian's Mausoleum, exploring churches, and shopping at open markets. The afternoon tour of the Vatican Museum was highlighted by seeing the Sistine Chapel followed by a visit to St. Peter's Basilica. Jerick climbed the steps to the very top of the Cupola to take in the view of Rome and the Tiber.

Thursday we took a bus tour to the ancient seaport ruins of Ostia Antica where we got to see how the "real" ancient people lived. We saw the remains of ancient baths, a fire station, burial sites and a well built directly in the middle of the ancient road. Back in the city, we walked to the Capitoline Hill Museum. We also tested our honesty at the Boca Della Verita: legend has it that the mouth of this ancient manhole cover will close on the hand of a liar. Everyone in our group returned with two hands.

For our final day, we walked to the Spanish Steps, spent time on the grounds of the Villa Borghese and visited the Borghese Museum.

After somefinal gift buying and an early supper, we made one last trip to the Trevi Fountain: one coin to return to Rome, two coins to find love in Rome and three coins to live in Rome.