Water is Life

For year-one of FLOW we have decided to adapt a module called "Water is Life."  This module was written by Expeditionary Learning, an educational organization that "has designed and refined an approach that engages and energizes students, teachers, and district school leaders."  You can read about Expeditionary Learning here:

http://elschools.org/our-approach/why-our-method-works


An overview of the "Water is Life" module can be seen here:

https://www.engageny.org/resource/grade-7-ela-module-4b

The anchor texts for the module are the article "Water is Life" by Barbara Kingsolver, and the nonfiction novel The Big Thirst by Charles Fishman.  "Water is Life" can be found in its entirety here:

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/04/water-is-life/kingsolver-text/1

A free sample of The Big Thirst is available on  Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Big-Thirst-Secret-Turbulent/dp/1439102082/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402966598&sr=8-1&keywords=the+big+thirst

Woolwich Central School and Bath Middle School faculty will be collaborating to adapt the module to our needs.  This work should be completed by the end of June.  Take a look at the materials to get a sense of what your child will be doing on FLOW.

Student Packing List for FLOW

FLOW 

Student Packing List

CLOTHING:  

4 pairs of socks (two should be wool or synthetic)

4 changes of underwear

1 set of long underwear tops and bottoms

2 pairs of shorts

2 pairs of pants (please, no jeans)

2 T-shirts

1 long sleeve shirts - wool or synthetic

1 sweater or fleece

1 windbreaker

1 warm jacket

1 winter hat

1 rain jacket and rain pants

1 pair wool or synthetic mittens or gloves

1 pair “camp shoes” (not open toe)

1 pair “wet shoes” (also not open toe-old sneakers work well)

1 sweatshirt/sweatpants OR extr set of long underwear to sleep in

1 brimmed hat for sun protection

1 swimsuit

EQUIPMENT:

1 sleeping bag 

1 flashlight or headlamp

1 1- liter waterbottle (can be a repurposed gatorade bottle)

1 small hand towel (or bandana)

1 toiletry kit including toothpaste and toothbrush

1 small backpack or book bag

sunscreen

chapstick

insect repellent

sunglasses

School Materials (will be provided by teachers).

The days will be generally comfortable, but the nights can be cool.  Below are some suggestions to help you with equipment preparation for the trip.

To keep your sleeping bag dry, put a heavy-duty garbage bag inside a stuff sack or pillow case.  Stuff the sleeping bag in and then squeeze out the extra air.  Twist the garbage bag to seal it.  Tuck the end of the garbage bag into the stuff sack. 

The importance of a sturdy waterproof raincoat and rain pants cannot be overemphasized.  Please do not bring ponchos.

Rugged chinos, cotton/polyester blends or synthetic pants are recommended.  Jeans are difficult to dry and rob the body of heat when they are wet.

Bring sunscreen with an SPF rating of 15 or more.

RESOURCES:

Here are some good places to find deals on raingear, sleeping bags, etc. --

Online:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com

http://www.amazon.com

http://www.rei.com/outlet

http://www.ems.com/home/index.jsp

Local:

Reny's

LL Bean Outlet (Freeport)

Goodwill (Brunswick)

TJ Maxx (Brunswick)

For more information, visit 

 http://flowexpedition.blogspot.com

So, what is FLOW?

Fundamental Learning On Water (FLOW) is a weeklong saltwater canoe trip open to all 8th graders in RSU 1.  The trip represents the collaboration of local businesses, the school district and the Chewonki foundation.  The academic focus of FLOW in year one will be the study of water.  Here is a slide show outlining the trip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwzNzl6MmA8

Thank You!!!

The FLOW Expedition is the culmination of good ideas, hard work and generous donations.  For their generous donations, I would like to acknowledge The Chewonki Foundation, Bath Savings Institution  First Federal Savings, and the George Davenport Trust.  For their hard work and willingness to breathe life and part of the budget into this project, I would like to thank the RSU 1 School Board and Superintendent Patrick Manuel.  Each of these stakeholders recognized the value of an experience like FLOW,  and recognized the difference it could make in the lives of children.  Without this support, FLOW would not have happened.

Thank you!!