1.1 Environmental Issue Instruction
- 1st Grade: Exploration of our Urban Forest
- 1st Grade: Earth Day
- 2nd Grade: Vermicomposting
- 2nd Grade: Raising Painted Lady Butterflies
- 3rd Grade: Planting Fall Bulbs
- 4th Grade: Outdoor Gardening
1st Grade: Exploration of our Urban Forest/MD Forest Service Junior Forest Ranger Program
Date: 2016-17 academic year, and 2017-2018
Subject: Science
A year-long unit, 1st graders enjoyed ‘adopting’ a tree in our schoolyard and monitoring the changes it underwent throughout the changing seasons. Students collected and identified autumn leaves. They discussed and identified the different attributes of the leaves and trees. Each month students visited their trees and made observations on the changes they saw by drawing and writing brief reflections. Hiking in the school woods helped students to understand the ways trees grow to adapt to their surroundings. By the end of the year students were able to identify deciduous and conifer trees and relate the products and benefits of trees. The unit culminated with being awarded the Junior Forest Ranger Award by the Maryland Department of Forestry.
Date: 2016-17 academic year, and 2017-2018
Subject: Science
A year-long unit, 1st graders enjoyed ‘adopting’ a tree in our schoolyard and monitoring the changes it underwent throughout the changing seasons. Students collected and identified autumn leaves. They discussed and identified the different attributes of the leaves and trees. Each month students visited their trees and made observations on the changes they saw by drawing and writing brief reflections. Hiking in the school woods helped students to understand the ways trees grow to adapt to their surroundings. By the end of the year students were able to identify deciduous and conifer trees and relate the products and benefits of trees. The unit culminated with being awarded the Junior Forest Ranger Award by the Maryland Department of Forestry.
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1st Grade: Earth Day Activities
Date: April 2017 and annually thereafter Subject: Social Studies/Language Arts Mrs. Kalkbrenner read various books to her first grade class (14 students) about the importance of caring for our Earth. Discussions followed as the students listed various ways they could help reduce, reuse, and recycle items to help our Earth be a better place to live. A culminating activity had the students create mobiles to illustrate what they had learned. |
2nd Grade: Vermicomposting
Date: January- May 2017, January-May 2018
Subject: Science
2nd graders spent the months of January through May tending worms for vermicomposting! They diligently recycled food scraps from their lunches to feed the worms and recorded the status of the worm bin daily. Students learned about worm’s habitat, diet, and behaviors through a series of observations and hands-on activities. The rich soil produced by the worms was added to plants grown in the garden. Students made observations about worms and what they ate, documenting their findings.
Date: January- May 2017, January-May 2018
Subject: Science
2nd graders spent the months of January through May tending worms for vermicomposting! They diligently recycled food scraps from their lunches to feed the worms and recorded the status of the worm bin daily. Students learned about worm’s habitat, diet, and behaviors through a series of observations and hands-on activities. The rich soil produced by the worms was added to plants grown in the garden. Students made observations about worms and what they ate, documenting their findings.
2nd Grade: Raising Painted Lady Butterflies
Date: April – May 2017 Subject: Science Students cared for butterfly larvae and monitored the physical changes they went through to become a caterpillar, chrysalis, and ultimately a butterfly. They learned about the parts of a butterfly, its diet, how it camouflages, and differences from a moth. The unit culminated with the release of the butterflies. |
3rd Grade: Planting Fall Bulbs
Date: Fall 2016 and annually
Subject: Science
As part of their outdoor science studies, 3rd graders collaborated with our community partner to plant tulip and daffodil bulbs on school/church property. Extending this unit of study, students made observations of bulbs forced for indoor blooming and compared results with those that grew outdoors.
In the fall of 2017, 3rd graders are participating in Journey North Tulip Test Gardens to be a part of an international monitoring of seasonal changes. Students made detailed observations and entered their findings into an international database. Students were then able to partner with another school which gave them an opportunity to compare their findings with other places around the globe. Students enjoyed collaborating with 3rd graders at a school in Anchorage, Alaska to compare their findings.
Date: Fall 2016 and annually
Subject: Science
As part of their outdoor science studies, 3rd graders collaborated with our community partner to plant tulip and daffodil bulbs on school/church property. Extending this unit of study, students made observations of bulbs forced for indoor blooming and compared results with those that grew outdoors.
In the fall of 2017, 3rd graders are participating in Journey North Tulip Test Gardens to be a part of an international monitoring of seasonal changes. Students made detailed observations and entered their findings into an international database. Students were then able to partner with another school which gave them an opportunity to compare their findings with other places around the globe. Students enjoyed collaborating with 3rd graders at a school in Anchorage, Alaska to compare their findings.
4th Grade: Outdoor Gardening
Date: Fall 2016, Fall 2017
Science
Students develop a deeper understanding of the world around through the involvement with the school garden; our outdoor living science classroom. Preparing garden beds for fall planting by tilling the soil and adding mineral rich nutrients to the soil, students learn where their food has its beginnings. Next, students measure for planting and assemble seed tapes in preparation for planting. The seeds are planted and students make weekly observations noting changes in weather, soil, and signs of germination. Students follow their seed's growth through its life cycle; sampling some of the harvest, sharing the harvest, and leaving some plants to go to seed for next year’s planting. Students expand their studies to include insects and animals in the garden as well as food nutrition.
Date: Fall 2016, Fall 2017
Science
Students develop a deeper understanding of the world around through the involvement with the school garden; our outdoor living science classroom. Preparing garden beds for fall planting by tilling the soil and adding mineral rich nutrients to the soil, students learn where their food has its beginnings. Next, students measure for planting and assemble seed tapes in preparation for planting. The seeds are planted and students make weekly observations noting changes in weather, soil, and signs of germination. Students follow their seed's growth through its life cycle; sampling some of the harvest, sharing the harvest, and leaving some plants to go to seed for next year’s planting. Students expand their studies to include insects and animals in the garden as well as food nutrition.