At-Home Activities: Conquering Mountains - Special Equipment

April 19 - 23

Workshop Class Activities

Craft: Press Flowers
Key Points: Dangers and their Solutions
Collaborative: Land Formations
Writing: Superlatives
Math: Weights
Prepare for Adventure: Trail Mix
Big Activity: How Mountains Grow
Movement: Obstacle Course

At-Home Activities

See a suggested week schedule at https://www.celebrationeducation.com/single-post/free-curriculum

Materials

fiction and nonfiction books about mountains
paper and pencils
crayons or colored pencils for illustrations
scale for weighing items
ruler and/or measuring tape

Reading

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls = ages 8-12

The Camping Trip that Changed America: Theodore Roosevel

John Muir and Our National Parks by Barb Rosenstock - ages 6-10

Everest: The Remarkable Story of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay by Alexandra Stewart - ages 8-12

Snow Leopard: Ghost of the Mountains by Justin Anderson - ages 5-8

Writing

Copywork

Copy the following poem in your best handwriting. Then illustrate the poem.

Comparatively Speaking

Positive, Comparative, Superlative

WOW!

Adjectives and Adverbs

show us how

we can use you to compare

all sorts of things from everywhere

If Jane runs fast

and June has passed her

you would know that June runs faster.

But the fastest runner in the race

passed them both and takes first place!

Positive, comparative, superlative,

WOW!

Copy the following quotes and write what you think they mean:

“It is not the mountain that we conquer, but ourselves.” - Edmund Hillary

“Mountains are freedom. Treat them respectfully.” - Conrad Anker

Language arts lesson

Adjectives are words that describe nouns. Comparative adjectives are used to compare one noun to another. For example, when you compare how fast birds fly: The bluebird flies faster than the robin.

Superlative adjectives are used to compare three or more nouns or to compare one thing against the rest of the group. For example, when you compare a group of birds: The crow is the fastest of all the birds.

Most comparative adjectives end in -er and most superlative adjectives end in -est. There are exceptions. Challenge yourself to find the exceptions.

Try writing the comparative and superlative adjectives for these positive adjectives: brave, calm, angry, soft.

Find examples of comparative and superlative adjectives in any book that you are reading.

Writing Activity

Complete using names of family or friends and rewrite the following sentences:

_______ is taller than _______.
_______ is the tallest of all three.

Complete using the names of three items after weighing them (see math concept below):

_______ is heavier than ______, but ______ is the heaviest of all three objects.

Write your own sentences using comparative and superlative adjectives. Illustrate your favorite sentences.

Journaling

President Teddy Roosevelt was quoted as saying: “Courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on when you don’t have the strength.” Write about a time when you had the courage to keep going.

Math

Math Concept

Predicting, Comparing Weights and Determining Differences

Standard weights are in pounds and ounces. There are 16 ounces in one pound.

When making a prediction about how much something weighs, weigh a few objects first to get an idea, then estimate what you think the weight of another object is. After weighing the object, you are ready to figure the difference between your prediction and the actual weight.

You will need to subtract to find the difference, but it will be much easier if you convert the weight to ounces before you subtract.

Example for how to convert: Find the difference between 7 pounds, 6 ounces and 3 pounds, 10 ounces.

7 pounds, 6 ounces = 112 ounces + 6 ounces = 118 ounces
3 pounds, 10 ounces = 48 ounces + 10 ounces = 58 ounces
Then subtract: 118 ounces - 58 ounces = 60 ounces
The difference between your prediction and the actual weight is 60 ounces.

Now, you will need to divide to convert back: 60 ounces divided by 16 ounces (1 pound) = 3 pounds, 12 ounces. That’s your answer!

Math Project

After weighing several objects and writing down their weights, hold another object and predict what the weight might be. Then weigh the object and use subtraction to determine the difference between your prediction and the correct weight. Do this with several more objects. Challenge a family member to make a prediction and see how close they are to the correct weight.

Math Concept

Predicting, Measuring Objects and Determining Differences

Standard measurement in length and height is in feet and inches. There are 12 inches in one foot and 36 inches in one yard.

When making a prediction about the length or height of something, measure a few items to get an idea, then estimate what you think the length or height of another object is before measuring it. Then subtract to determine the difference between your prediction and the actual measurement.

Using the example above for converting weight, see if you can figure out how to convert height or length before subtracting.

Math Project

Write down three items in your home that you predict might measure about one yard. Measure these items. How close did you get? Maybe try again with three other objects. Can you figure out how many inches off your prediction was? Challenge a family member to try the same predictions to see who is closest to the actual measurement.

Mental Math

Memorize how many inches are in a foot and a yard, and how many feet are in one, two and three yards. Memorize how many ounces are in one, two and three pounds.

Math Games

Predicting Lengths

2-4 players

Have five items to measure. Each player makes a prediction about the length of one item at a time. After measuring the item, on a scorecard, record the number of inches each player is off. After measuring all five items, add the number of inches off each player has. The player with the lowest number or fewest inches is the winner! Next, try Predicting Weights.

Projects

Research and Report

After becoming president in 1901, President Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt established five national parks in the U.S. Research these national parks and list interesting facts, including location of the park and any well-known mountains. Using blank paper, draw an outline of one mountain from each park and list the facts inside the mountain outline.

Themed Fireworks Project

Create an obstacle course at home, either indoors or outdoors. Draw a map with a key showing the challenges in your obstacle course. Have your family members try the course while you time each member.

6-week project

Investigate, research and observe the topic you chose last week. Collect interesting information into a notebook or binder. Work on your display

Outings

Take a trail hike in the local mountains.
With your family, plan a trip to visit one of the national parks.

Other Ideas

While hiking in the local mountains, observe any plants and animals that you see.
Take a small journal with you while hiking. Illustrate and write a short description of any plants and animals along the way.
Make your own healthy trail mix to take with you on a hike.

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