Academy 21 and Standard classes

Academy 21 is a class with a project based learning style. We do projects on topics of our choice. I chose to do a project on Yo-yos. We try to incorporate science, social studies, math, and language arts into our projects. Academy 21 is similar to and different from regular classes on the core subjects. I will explain why.

   

In Academy 21 as well as regular math classes, assessments or quizzes are taken every few days to track progress. By the end of the year, we also learn the same general science and social studies concepts as the standard classes. Lastly, writing assignments take place in both types of classes.
 
Academy 21 are also very different from the typical classes. We do an online math program called Aleks that lets you learn at your own pace by giving explanations if you don't understand the topic. In a regular class, everyone works on the same thing and gets the same homework even if they already understand the concept. In a typical science or social studies class, everyone gets assigned the same projects and other work by the teacher. However, in the Academy, we just have to incorporate the subjects into our projects that we picked. For example, in my yo-yo project I related Newton's first law, the law of inertia, to the way the yo-yo works. I also included the history of the yo-yo covering the social studies portion. Lastly, a language arts class will have to write about what the teacher tells them. On the other hand, in the Academy we write about topics of our choice and may use creative methods of presenting them.
 
As you can see, there are many similar characteristics between Academy 21 and standard classes, and there are also many differences between the two. Both learning styles are effective even though they are conducted in different ways.

Zip Line

When I went to the Wilderness in the Dells with my mom, dad, and brother, I rode the new zip line with my mom. We made our reservations in advance. Like a month and a half in advance. I couldn't wait.

When we got to the zip line desk to check in, we were weighed, signed a form, and went to the area where we get suited up. My mom and I walked in to the room. There was a bench lining each wall. Above each bench were about ten hooks. On each hook was what looked like rock climbing harnesses and karabiners. On a shelf on one wall was a bunch of things that looked like triple pulleys. There were about eight other people that were going to ride the zip line too. Two guides came in and helped us get our gear on.

Once we were ready, we went outside and climbed up the first tower. It was 6 stories high! That's 60 feet high. One of the guides attached his pulley to the line, hooked the karabiners to it, and jumped off. He went zooming to the next platform. Once he got there he unhooked himself from the line and hooked himself to the rail on the tower. The second guide came up to the top and hooked onto the rail. They do this so they won't fall, because at the very top, there are only three sides. One side is open.

The second guide hooked up someone's pulley to the line and off they went. After a few people went, it was my turn. Once I jumped off, I wasn't as scared as I was just standing there. I came in to the second tower at just the right speed. When everyone got there, the first guide took off down the next "zip". The second guide asked who wanted to go first. I waited till someone said that they'd do it before I said I would go second because I still didn't want to go first.

For the next three "zips" I looked around while I was riding. At one point we were 115 feet in the air over a canyon. 

On the second to last "zip," there was a bobcat in a tree with a motion sensor. When I went past it, it snarled at me. The last "zip" was the longest, stretching from one tower to the next at a 900 foot distance. That's three football fields long. At one point before the canyon, you are about 15 feet above the ground. 

That ride was incredible. I thought the canyon zip line tour was extraordinary. I would ride it again anytime.