Class Overview and Introduction:

    The purpose of this unit is to introduce students to survival.  The students will be introduced to survival skills needed to sustain life in emergency situations and prepare for circumstances ahead of time.

    Survival is more than living through an earthquake or living through 100 days lost in the wilderness. It is knowing how to experience your environment, any environment you choose, and enjoying yourself, while at the same time, using the wisdom necessary to be prepared to be safe. Many people who find themselves in trouble and doubt whether they will survive have often not informed themselfes adequately,, not prepared for the unexpected, pnakicked and acted unwisely, or though that they were the exception to the rules and precautions.
 

Rationale:

    Survival combines physical and mental skills that will serve the students well throughout their lives. The skills for survival
give a person independence and provide a foundation for safe participation in hobbies that involve mountainous regions and environments. Survival may be necessary for anyone who travels frequently as well as those who enjoy the great outdoors. The knowledge obtained can be used over a lifetime for all age and skill levels. The objective a survival unit will be to demonstrate survival skills and knowledge that may be needed to sustain life in an emergency situation.
  Participation will be stressed in this unit. Learning about survival will get people into natural settings and challenges them both mentally and physically.

Student Learning Objectives:

          1. Demonstrate a basic level of proficiency in starting a fire using minimal resources.
          2. Demonstrate a basic level of proficiency in building a fire.
          3. Explain ways to find your way back to civilization..
          4. Explain ways to find your way back to camp.
          5. Identify foods and plants available in a designated area.
          6. Describe methods for finding and purifying water.

Essential Academic Learnings:

This unit is designed to meet some of the essential academic learning requirements in health and fitness and
communication. Specifically, as a result of completing this unit, the student will:

                1.  Acquire skills to live safely.
                2.  Incorporate rules and safety procedures into physical activity.
                3. Understand how environmental factors affect one's health.
                4. Use listening and observation skills to gain understanding.
                5. Use communication strategies to work effectively with others.

Assessment:
The grade for this unit will be determined by:
Daily worksheets and activities (25%)
Active and cooperative participation (50%)
Summative assessment (25%)

    The summative assessment for this unit will be based on the student's ability to successfully locate, setup and maintain a camp. Points will be assigned in fire building, shelter building and ability to identify and locate water and food for survival.

Grading:
    90-100% = A
    80 - 89% = B
    70 - 79% = C
    60 - 69% = D
    less than 59% = F
(+ and - grades will be assigned to the top and bottom three points within each range. E.g., 87% = B+)

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