Author Archives: Mr. Major

Mission Trails Guided Nature Walk

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Taking advantage of an opportunity to work with a local area park ranger as well as a desire to bring some of our younger OTA students outdoors, the 8th & 4th grades are invited to enjoy an outdoor education experience at Mission Trail Regional Park next Wednesday 12/11. Our goal is to leave OTA at 9:30, arriving at the Mission Trail Visitor Center for our guided hike from 10-11:30. Both classes will then enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before returning to OTA around 1 pm. Throughout our time in Mission Trails, all students are encouraged to sketch and/or take pictures for our species scavenger hunt. Can you find and name 3 different plant, mammal, bird, insect, & reptile/amphibians? Parent drivers/chaperones are definitely needed. Please contact Mr. Major if you are interested in helping out: jmajor@otacharter.org.

Yosemite Valley is a Go!!

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OTA is very excited to confirm it’s 8th grade excursion to Yosemite Valley! As the reservations window was closed until this past month, spots in the few precious group camp site filled up very, very rapidly but we’ve managed to secure a group site from Friday May 31st to Tuesday June 4th. As our primary theme in science for 8th grade is “Know Your Watershed”, this Outdoor Educational experience will provide a direct contrast of all that we will have studied about the San Diego River watershed as we explore the flora and fauna of one of our nation’s most beloved National Parks.

Our first meeting to discuss trip plans, activities, options an to answer general questions will occur next Wednesday 23rd from 4pm-5pm in the 8th grade classroom. In order to kill a few stones with the same bird, Mr. Major (who having worked at 3 different charter schools as well as with teachers throughout San Diego County) would like to discuss options for any and all 8th graders as they look ahead towards High School.