Experiencing Texas at Sky Ranch

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On May 5^th and May 6, 2014 the fourth grade students at Willis Lane Elementary School participated in classes with the Sky Ranch organization located in Van, Texas. These classes allowed the students to experience Texas, past and present, through engaging activities. The trip also aligned with Fourth Grade Texas State Standards.

Science (4.1A, 4.1B, 4.2A, 4.6D, 4.8B, 4.7A, 4.7C) 

Participating in the Limnology and Forces in Nature classes, students explored science through a practical, hands-on experience. Students designed an experiment to test the effect of force on their own rockets.By learning about Newton’s Laws of Motion, students observed how friction, gravity and inertia influenced the momentum of Mr. Potato head traveling on a zip line. Participating in different games, students examined the importance of our natural resources and realized that taking care of our Earth is essential for our future.

Social Studies (4.1D, 4.1B, 4.2A, 4.3B, 4.8A, 4.9B, 4.10A, 4.12C)

Participating in the American Indian and Ranch Life Classes, students compared past Texas to present Texas. Students were able to identify the different American Indian groups that lived in Texas before European exploration. By discussing and experiencing life during that time period, students could identify the demand for exploration in the region and understand the impact of explorers (such as Rene Robert Cavelier) on the settlement of Texas. Students were also able to encounter Ranch Life during the early days of Texas. This knowledge helped students to understand that the contributions of significant people in the history of Texas, accompanied by important events.