Our trip began with a stop at Mountain Valley Farms in Ellijay, Georgia. At the farm, students got to see and hear about the productive resources used in the farming industry. They got an up-close experience with a dairy cow, pigs, and baby goats. We enjoyed a picnic lunch with the goats, cows, pigs, and horses. The awesome people at Mountain Valley Farms then gave the students ice cream that was made from milk produced on the farm. The unique ice cream flavors were delicious! It was a great opportunity to learn about the productive resources we have been learning about in Social Studies and to see how these resources relate to the real world.
The next stop was R & A Apple Orchards in Ellijay. Students got to browse the store, learning about the endless number of "apple" products. They also learned about supply and demand and how pricing of products depends on this concept. This was another chance for students to see the different types of productive resources in use. The students enjoyed apple cider slushies and fried apple pies.
After these stops, we arrived at the cabin. After quickly exploring the area, we embarked on a hike to the Cartecay River. At the river, students explored the smooth rocks and minerals in and around the river. They found evidence of weathering and erosion in the area, both concepts we have studied this year. The students even got a lesson in kayaking and how forces in the water influence things. It was an awesome experience!
Once we arrived back at the cabin, there were many evening activities. We had competitive games of kickball, soccer, air hockey, and ping pong. Then, we went for a nature walk, in hopes of observing the plants and animals in the region. Students used their iPads to document the hike. Upon completion of the hike, students worked independently to create digital presentations of their hike using various apps. You'll soon be able to find these presentations on the Student Blog tab! No trip is complete without scary stories by the campfire and S'mores! The kids composed AMAZING campfire stories and shared in a very dramatic fashion.
Amicalola Falls was our Saturday adventure! We started at the bottom of the falls, taking in the greatness of the waterfall. Then, we took a short hike up part of the mountain. The students found many great plants and animals from this region. After our hike, we enjoyed a picnic lunch followed by some play time on the playground. Our final stop at Amicalola was the Nature Center. Students got to see a cool exhibit about the Appalachian Mountains and got to see a variety of snakes native to this region. It was quite exciting!
All in all, it was an amazing trip! It was so much fun to see all the "Aha!" moments as students got to experience all the things we've been learning about in the classroom! Be sure to check out the Student Blog tab over the next few weeks as students share their highlights of the trip!