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Camp Internet Teacher Briefing
BackCountry Studies
For the Week of November 22-24
Channel Islands and Backcountry Tracks
This week the Camp invites you to share with your students the Native American harvest celebration section that includes other celebrations and observations practiced by the Chumash and Gabrielino. In preparation for each student's Thanksgiving Holiday, please remind them that November is National American Indian Heritage Month, and that their Camp work is making them each a part of this important recognition of the original Californians.
These are the final days of the scheduled Native American section and it is hoped that by now the students have completed the first section of their passports, earned their first stickers, and have received their arrowheads as rewards for their Camp participation. For classrooms who have been slow to get their connectivity, please feel free to continue the first section until Christmas break and then converge with us all at New Years when we begin the Missions section for the Channel Islands track, and the Gold Rush section for the Backcountry track. You can always come back to any section anytime for more detail, but we are trying to keep you on track for the special themes, Internet digs, and guest Trail Guides events.
When we return to the classroom on November 29th, we have a very special event for you to participate in. With the help of fellow teacher Joan Archer, the Camp has been able to invite the respected Chumash storyteller and singer, Julie Tumamait, to join us for a live chat and storytelling. Julie continues the work of her well-known grandfather, Vincent Tumamait, who was the spiritual leader of the Chumash leader for many decades. We are honored to have her share her stories and insights with us, and invite you to join us online in the chat room on Monday the 29th from 9am-11am. Julie will be in Joan's classroom at Oak View-Arnaz School, and the Camp will be hosting both the live chat and a video session that will be broadcast later in the week. That same week on Wednesday, to launch our Astronomy section, we will have a live chat with archeo-astronomer, Dr. John Anderson, to learn how the early native Californians viewed the night sky. Please mark these chat dates on your calendar - Nov. 29th and Dec 1st.
In-service Training
We look forwards to seeing the teachers and Camp Counselors come together for the in-service training and Camp Open House next week. We have mailed you each an agenda and flyer for the Open House, and ask you to invite several fellow teachers to the Open House to share the word. Camp Counselors Ken Decroo, Pat Rynearson, Ron Wright, and Janice Ross are scheduled to coordinate the training and open house activities, with teachers invited to bring displays of their students work to share with other educators and school administrators. Show your stuff ! The Camp is also offering a $75 stipend for materials to encourage teachers to prepare a table-top display for these events. If you are preparing a display, we hope to see it brought to the first session on the 30th, it will also be shown on the 1st, and then can be put on display at the Camp Internet Headquarters until the Spring. In-service sessions start at 1pm, wrap up is just before 4pm, and then we open the doors to guests who will see the Camp activities online, can participate in a live chat, and will be able to not only see samples of students work, but also enjoy hearing project success stories from teachers who are using the Camp. (If you are unable to attend, you will be asked to complete the first Teacher's Report and return it by mail or web. All teachers who are subscribed to the Camp complete these evaluation forms in December and June. Teachers at the training will receive the report forms during the in-service sessions.)
Have a Great Thanksgiving !