Science class on Table Mountain

Most recently, we traveled to the top of Table Mountain. A group of students hiked to the top, traveling slowly through the two main rock types that make up Table Mountain (mudstone and sandstone – quartzite). Another group sped over the beautiful geologic formation while riding up on the tram car. The entire group met at the top, enjoying the spectacular view of the Cape of Good Hope and the Atlantic Ocean. Students completed an extensive field journal entry on the landscape of Table Mountain and the specific rock types observed. This case study of the geology of Table Mountain will be carried over into the next few weeks as we officially begin our Geology Unit. The students will continue to look at the landscape and analyze, how did these features come to be? What forces are working on this landscape today? What will this look like in the future?

- Leah

Algebra 2 Class Update

To wrap up the first half of the semester, the students completed their Chapter 3 studies with a comprehensive test. In Chapter 3 students learned to solve systems of linear equations and linear inequalities. We explored three dimensional coordinate systems in terms of graphing points and solving linear systems with three variables. Starting this week, we will move into Chapter 4, studying Matrices. Students have also diligently completed weekly budgets, tracking their individual spending money. They will continue with these as we cross the border and transition to working with the Namibian Dollar.

- Leah

from Tsitsikamma to the beach...

We had a spectacular hike through the fynbos biome in Tsitsikamma National Park. The girls now approach hiking days of 13+ kilometers with no difficulty. We hiked into our first hut, late in the afternoon to be greeted by a wonderful natural swimming hole. The girls explored this by sliding on the slippery rocks and testing their mettle by fully submerging into the cold, mountain pool of water. You could hear shrieks and laughter rising up out of the little canyon. Our second day out greeted us with misty cloud cover. It was the perfect weather, as the fynbos biome is characterized by beautiful varieties of shrubs and low lying plants and not much shade from the sun. We were blessed to see hundreds of the 8,600 species native to the Fynbos biome in bloom. The best sighting of the day, was South Africa's token flower, the King Protea. Photographed with drops of misty rain on the outside, it was a highlight. We greeted the truck again after a 11.5 kilometer hike out and hit the road for our next adventure. Other highlights included science and travel journalism classes on the trail, smores, cooking dinner over an open fire and evening games. What's next for these adventurous students? Surf lessons!

Mountain Times

The group has emerged from the mountains after some adventurous days of hiking. We climbed up and over boulders through a dried up river gorge to see the stunning array of peaks and valleys. The girls rallied each other throughout the hike and encouraged one another up mountain peaks and ladders. It was a great team building day.

We have been listening to the array of languages spoken throughout the provinces and are busy practicing our clicks so we can interact. These skills will come in handy as we head to the province that Nelson Mandela grew up in.

Everyone is doing great and sends big hugs and hellos to all!


~ Aunge

P.E. Class

P.E. at The Traveling School involves a variety of activities from rock climbing and hiking to morning runs and yoga. Recently, the girls practiced their team building and trust tactics while discovering rock climbing routes on the canyon walls. We have focused on getting the entire group into running shape as well as using plyo-metrics and core exercises to promote strong bodies. We also play active games including capture the flag, freeze tag, and ultimate frisbee. Later this week we head to the mountains to hike some incredible mountain passes and challenge ourselves.

Brenna & Caroline

Battlefield

After an early morning jog, breakfast and tea the girls are headed to the British Zulu battlefield. Two different cultures are represented at this battlefield. The first museum is described through an Afrikaner perspective and the second from a Zulu. History comes alive for the girls as they walk through the museum and life size sculptures of loggers (wagons) circled up trying to defend themselves wait for them outside on the battlefield. Tomorrow we are headed for the mountains.

Brenna

Three School Visits...

The TTS18 students have had the rare opportunity of visiting three different secondary schools within our 2 and ½ weeks of travel. Students visited two private boarding schools (Stanford Lake College and the Southern Cross school) and one public school located in the Engwenya Township near Waterval Boven. They sat in on classes and interacted with students of similar age. Debriefing this experience in our Global Studies class provided a platform for students to discuss their observations and question why. The legacy of apartheid is a theme that has been part of the past few weeks in our discussions. We have discussed observations that the students have made regarding infrastructure of the schools, student and teacher motivation levels, racial divisions amongst students and the variety of culture within student groups. The TTS students have been open and honest in their discussions with each other about what they are seeing and experiencing. To compare and contrast the variety of schooling systems in South Africa first hand is what makes the Traveling School a truly experiential learning experience.