Help Us Make the Sierra Our School

[Jimr]

I think I'm going to start referring to them as "them thar hills", Y'all

[Jimr]

When you start introducing algebra to the boys, you can have them create linear formulas to convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius and vice versa starting with a graphing of two known points, working through the point/slope formula and ending with a linear equation in the form y=Mx+B, then isolate for x. Have them take temp measurements in the field and convert to C.

Convert meters to feet and vice versa, dimensional analysis converting from one unit of measure to another based on the idea that anything multiplied by 1 is unchanged. Example, 1 Liter = 0.264 Gallons, therefore L/.264 Gal = 1 and .264 Gal/L = 1 so 6 Liters/1 x .264 Gal / Liters = 6 x .264 Gal = 1.58 Gal and the unit "Liter" cancels out of both numerator and denominator. All kinds of conversion fun.

Have them calculate the height of a tree using a 1ft length of 1/4" tubing as a surveyor scope.

Yeah, I like math.

[zacjust32]

Lesson No. 1. It's "Sierra", never "Sierras".

When I speak Spanish, which I do regularly, I would only say Sierra. In English, it doesn't matter, except to the purists, who I am happy to annoy.

How about helping me teach my boys about the Sierras Nevadas Mountainses?

Give it a couple years until all the fuddy-duddys aren't a problem anymore. There's bigger fish to fry than a name. I think it's more important and worthwhile to introduce your kids to a love and appreciation of nature than strict linguistic rules.

[ERIC]

Just checking in to make sure we're all talking about the same thing, here.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=sierra

Mark?

[Troutdog 59]

Now that's funny Eric!!! Some of the latter definitions are downright disturbing.

As to the original post, I commend you for wanting to teach and instill such values in your children.

As for the grammatical debate, sigh . I'm a geologist and the topic was driven into our brains by our field instructors so I always say Sierra, but why is everyone given such a brow beating over it on this site??? How about just pointing it out without busting someone's chops (as the first response did)? Just saying!

[rlown]

still agree with Mark. If you're teaching or doing scientific research, you need to be more precise in your words. Should be Sierra, or the Sierra Nevada. But.. there are worse parents/teachers out there who don't really care about the details. Details are everything if you want a (meaningful) job.

If your children find a Sierra topic of interest, You should look to see if they can attend either reviews or even meetings on a current topic to see what really happens. There is a lot of effort behind the scenes, but the interaction would be enlightening. They might not comprehend it at the time, but.. Politics are good as well.

I liked them thar hills.

[Wandering Daisy]

Food! What surprised me about teaching at NOLS, is when we go course evaluations from students, the thing they liked the most and said they learned much, was ration planning and cooking. Eating is very basic. Really motivates people.

Have the kids do all the food planning. Learn nutritional value of food. Go shopping. Have a budget. How many calories do you need? How do other nutrients make you a stronger backpacker? Hydration. Why do we need all that water. Lots of math here. Then practice cooking. Cooking is chemistry-science. Food comes in a box - but how did it get in that box? Where does your food come from?

Hands on skills. Safety in handling hot pots. How to build a fire. What is a fire anyway? How does it produce heat.

Fishing! Lots of biology here. Disect a fish. Back to food - how much nutritional value in a fish. And food from the fish's perspective. Tie flies. Why to fish like certain insects vs others? Fishing rod. What is the physics of a cast?

Exercise physiology- how does your body work when you exercise? Why does altitude matter? How does food fit into all this?

[zwoij]

When you start introducing algebra to the boys, you can have them create linear formulas to convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius and vice versa starting with a graphing of two known points, working through the point/slope formula and ending with a linear equation in the form y=Mx+B, then isolate for x. Have them take temp measurements in the field and convert to C.

Convert meters to feet and vice versa, dimensional analysis converting from one unit of measure to another based on the idea that anything multiplied by 1 is unchanged. Example, 1 Liter = 0.264 Gallons, therefore L/.264 Gal = 1 and .264 Gal/L = 1 so 6 Liters/1 x .264 Gal / Liters = 6 x .264 Gal = 1.58 Gal and the unit "Liter" cancels out of both numerator and denominator. All kinds of conversion fun.

Have them calculate the height of a tree using a 1ft length of 1/4" tubing as a surveyor scope.

Yeah, I like math.

Excellent ideas. Just the kind of feedback I was hoping for.

I will have to brush up on my math quite a bit to be a good teacher! I went through calculus and enjoyed it but haven't used anything beyond the very basics of math in almost 20 years. Do you have an example of the orthographic profile you mentioned in your other response?

The trick is going to be finding topics that they will be truly interested in.

[zwoij]

Food! What surprised me about teaching at NOLS, is when we go course evaluations from students, the thing they liked the most and said they learned much, was ration planning and cooking. Eating is very basic. Really motivates people.

Have the kids do all the food planning. Learn nutritional value of food. Go shopping. Have a budget. How many calories do you need? How do other nutrients make you a stronger backpacker? Hydration. Why do we need all that water. Lots of math here. Then practice cooking. Cooking is chemistry-science. Food comes in a box - but how did it get in that box? Where does your food come from?

Hands on skills. Safety in handling hot pots. How to build a fire. What is a fire anyway? How does it produce heat.

Fishing! Lots of biology here. Disect a fish. Back to food - how much nutritional value in a fish. And food from the fish's perspective. Tie flies. Why to fish like certain insects vs others? Fishing rod. What is the physics of a cast?

Exercise physiology- how does your body work when you exercise? Why does altitude matter? How does food fit into all this?

Great ideas. They will definitely help with planning and shopping. One of the important ways to get them to enjoy backpacking is to eat great food, so the whole thing feels like treat. Roughing it will come when with the weather.

I like the physics of casting idea. I already have more than we can do in three days. I'll start simple and add from there. I'm planning to make a pot cozy and we can do some experiments to perhaps figure by some experiments and measurements whether it's worth its weight. But they would have to have an interest in this, which is more likely to come after enjoying the trip. Goal #1 is still to get them to love backpacking.

Now I'm wondering what courses any of you may know of (or teach) in the Sierra? (See I didn't use the plural. So I must be referring to a woman, right ERIC?).

[Hobbes]

I was wondering why this thread was so active. Finally, out of curiosity I take a peek; and there it is, fireworks.

I think one of the major components of a well rounded education is not only learning about, but gaining an insight & appreciation for different cultures. And there are many, too numerous to list: geographic regions, political organizations, social groups, sporting activities, et al. You name it, and a group exists that abides by certain codes of conduct, behavior standards, language cues, manner of dress, etc.

The challenge for the outsider - whomever that may be - is whether or not they want to adapt, adopt & blend in in order to enhance their personal experience, or loudly & adamantly announce their "other" status. To compound the issue, while any decision is ultimately fine (there are plenty of non-conformists who insist on going against the grain), you are also committing your wards to the same category.

Try this thought exercise: think of the Sierra as visiting France. Do you want to be the brazen American tourist rudely demanding to be served in English? Or, would you rather spend some time researching & studying important native phrases? Because - at least in my experience - it doesn't matter if you completely hack it up, as long as some effort is made.

Regardless of culture, people universally tend to be friendly, open & willing to help, and don't mind as long you try. Once you've gained a measure of approval - by their standards - you've taken the first steps toward inclusion. In the case of the French, they love to practice their English, and are dying to test it out with a native speaker. But they will never let their guard down until you make the initial effort with some pitiable, tortured French.

Insisting that something/anything doesn't matter, when it obviously does (otherwise it wouldn't have been brought up), or criticizing people who initially raised the issue, is a sure fire way to have a poor experience.