Sixth Grade Explores North Bay on Outdoor Education Trip

The outdoors became the classroom for the sixth grade class as they spent four days last week at Walker Creek Ranch in Petaluma. Surrounded by abundant wildlife and diverse habitat—including grassland, forest, and coastal chaparral—students participated in activities designed to give them the opportunity to explore and gain an understanding of their connection to one another and the natural world. The group went on a six-mile hike to Walker Peak, where they "enjoyed views of the Pacific Ocean and Tomales Bay," says sixth grade advisor Allison Schwartz. Students also participated in various hands-on, field-based activites that brought the science they've learned about in the classroom to life. They learned how to use rock to make face paint, explored Turtle Pond, and "boogied down at the barn," adds Ms. Schwartz.