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.

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

My parents, cousin, brother, and I visited the John And Mary PAPPAJOHN Sculpture Park when we went to Iowa. Some of the sculptures were really amazing. At the same time, some were pretty weird. Most of the art pieces that were named had names that didn't even go with the piece. I've never understood public art. That made it an interesting experience. Here are some pictures of sculptures and what I thought about them. (Click the title of the sculpture park to go to the site).



This is the first sculpture we looked at. It is untitled.
It makes me think of a man doing the splits.

 

This one is very tall and made of stainless steel.
When I walked up to it I suddenly felt smaller.
It is also untitled. 



This one is called Back of a Snowman (white).
There isn't anything on the other side so I don't know why it's the back.
It made me think of a snowman without the middle section.



Here is the mysterious evil twin (I just call it that).
As you can guess, it is called Back of a Snowman (black).
Again, it has nothing on the other side.
It didn't make me think of a snowman because snow isn't supposed to be black.
See...told you it was mysterious.



Here is Ancient Forest.
He is actually made of Bronze that is painted like wood.
I thought he was actual wood.
He, like the white snowman, has a sibling.



This is Juno.
Juno is also made of bronze.
I think Juno is the younger brother of Ancient Forest.



This is the Spider.
It really made me think of a spider as soon a I saw it.
It is made of bronze.



Say hi to Willy.
I think it looks really cool because of all the geometric shapes.
Don't ask me why it's called Willy.
It is made of bronze. 





Modular Piece is the name of this one.
It looks like a whole bunch of boxes just put together.
It is made of painted steel.





Here is T8.
Do you see the "T" and "8"?
It is made of painted steel.
I took a few more pictures of this one.





Here is a closer view.





This is underneeth.





This is Decoy.
It is made of iron.
I don't know why it's called Decoy.
I think it looks like a duck decoy for hunting. 





I'm in the black sweatshirt.
My brother is in the back.
My cousin is on the right.



This is called Three Dancing Figures (version C).
It is made of painted aluminum.
They all have two hands but you can't see the second red one.



Here is Nomade.
He is sitting down holding his legs up to his chest.
I'm sitting like him.
He is painted steel.



This is the inside of the head.



This is Moonrise east. August.
He is painted aluminum, steel.
It looks like a Charlie Brown character.





These are all about the Park.



Rocks

Rocks are used in many different ways.

· Some people wear rocks (diamonds) 

· Some people sleep on rocks 

· Other people worship rocks. 

· We mine for rocks that have high value. 

· Big rocks are thrown into water to make a splash 

· Smooth rocks are thrown onto water with the intent of skipping them across (That's not always the easiest thing to do though) 

· Rocks are collected 

· Rocks are used as tools 

· Buildings can be built of rocks 

· You can write with rocks 

· We eat rocks (salt) 

· Our games involve rocks (rock, paper, scissors) 

These are some of the many uses for rocks.

Mustaches

Mustaches are hairy facial features worn by men. Mustaches are found between the mouth and the nose. They are usually worn with beards. Mustaches can either make you look very handsome or they can look very unattractive. This hairy feature comes in various sizes and shapes from small and bushy to long and curly. Mustaches aren't always hairy. Some can be liquid, like a milk mustache. Others aren't even real. Wearing mustaches has been a reflection of factors such as climate, custom, religious belief, and personal taste.

Blaze of Silver

I just finished the book called Blaze of Silver by K.M. Grant. It is the third book in the De Granville Trilogy. The first book is called Blood Red Horse and the second is Green Jasper. To tell the truth, I haven't read the first book yet because last year people summarized it for me, but I'm going to read it next.

In the beginning, a stranger comes to Hartslove (the castle) with a horse. Sir Thomas was in charge of the castle but he died in the first book. His son is Will who has become a knight and has also been on crusade. Ellie's mother died long ago so Sir Thomas took her in. Will and Ellie don't know if they can trust the stranger. Little do they know that he is an assassin named Amal sent by the Old Man of the Mountains, who is an enemy to them and the Saracens. They let Amal stay at the castle for a while. Will kept a close eye on him because of his suspicions. Will’s horse, Hosanna, could tell that Amal was bad news.

At the same time, their king, Richard, is being held for ransom by the leader of Germany The people at Hartslove are trying to accumulate enough silver to pay the ransom because he is a beloved king. The journey to Germany is very long and dangerous.

To figure out what they do with Amal, his plan, and the king, you’ll have to read the book.