GA’s 5th Grade students visited College Settlement in Horsham to experience cooperative learning in an outdoor environment, complete collaborative challenges, and bond as a group. 

“We wanted to take advantage of the outdoors and give students challenges that can only be solved by cooperation, communication, and collaboration,” said Graham Martin, 5th Grade teacher and grade level coordinator. “I’ve heard from some students and families who are new to GA that this was a great opportunity to make new friends.”

During this two-day session, students worked to build peer relationships, gain new leadership skills, and develop further knowledge in outdoor topics like forest ecology, organic farming, shelter building, and fishing. 

Below are a few highlights from students when reflecting on their experience with cooperating with others:

• “One thing I learned about myself on this trip was that even though I’m new to this school, I can show leadership. During one of the challenges, I saw a new side of myself as a leader.”
• “Something I learned about working with others during College Settlement was to not always listen to the loud people. Sometimes the quiet people will have the answer, and you might not know if you don’t ask them.”
• “I learned that I have to compromise with other people in order to get something big done. We have to try different things and success does not come instantly. It takes some work!”

Way to go 5th Grade! 

See more photos from their trip here.