PART IV OBJECTIVE 1: USE OF ENVIRONMENT AS CONTEXT FOR LEARNING
November 2011 - Kindergarten gets dirty planting six trees
near our wetland area.
Corliss Glennon, Master Gardener, created landscaping plans for placement of our trees obtained through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Besides learning how to plant a tree, these students learned the importance of using native trees and shrubs. Not only do they provide a valuable habitat for many native insects, birds, and mammal species in our region, as well as migrating species, they also minimize the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and invasive plants. Additionally, they require little or no additional watering or fertilizing once established and can aid in soil retention, erosion control, and water filtration. We had a great time planting!
Kindergarten students received environmental education
in technology classes.
They read the ebook on the Lorax and had discussions on how important it is to plant trees. Then the students used the tools in Pixie to draw a new forest to help the Lorax.
The kindergarten students were taught how to use the digital cameras. They got the opportunity to explore the school and take pictures of where we recycle in the classrooms, the cafeteria, and the team areas.
January 2013- Green Team Ambassadors prepared and delivered storm drain and rain garden presentations to all grade levels.
The first-grade students went to the Nature Conservancy to learn about rocks and fossils in support of the science curriculum.
The first-grade students will participate in a field trip to the Robinson Nature Center in May of 2013. They will visit the planetarium and review the space unit from quarter one.
The first-grade students did a math/art/recycling project in December 2012. The students learned about different shapes and then used all recycled materials to make a town out of the shapes they studied.
The students in 2nd grade raise and release painted lady butterflies. The students do this each year. Spring 2013 they will be traveling to the Howard County Conservancy to learn more about butterflies. They will participate in this program:
Spring Program– Wings, Stings, and Leggy Things
This program will teach students about the life cycle and defense
mechanisms of insects, moths and butterflies. Students search through
forest and grasslands for the insects within and become familiar with the
common species found in Howard County.
Second-grade students begin their study of soil and erosion by making a model landfill.
For Earth Day 2013, the 2nd Grade students will be making Earth Day posters and then adding a write to persuade paragraph. This paragraph will persuade others to save the earth.
Third-grade students made sails and learned
about the benefits of wind energy.
Third-graders worked in technology in January 2013 to learn about the benefits of windmills. They learned how windmills work and their purpose. They learned how windmills are often used for energy. The read an ebook and demonstrated their knowledge in Pixie and by creating windmills.
Click to enlarge pictures
Fourth-grade Students learn about the Chesapeake Bay
through research and by building watershed models.
Fourth-grade protects wildlife
Fourth-grade students planted bushes by the bird feeders in the spring of 2012. Some of our 4th grade students learned about bird habitats in our Project Feeder Watch seminar and were excited to be a part of providing our feathered friends with some protection while they feed.
Fourth-grade Students visit Gorman Farm
Days of Taste – 4th grade project
As a part of this program, 4th grade students visited a local farm to learn about sustainability, responsible farming, and minimizing carbon footprints by buying local. Students learned the value of taking food from the farm to the table in efforts to reduce amount of energy spent.
During the lessons held at FRES, recycling efforts were noted by the Days of Taste staff.
Fourth-grade "saves the Earth"!!!
Our wonderful music teachers, Phyllis Kepp and Iris Patterson, wrote a play called "Save the Earth" that was performed by the entire 4th grade class. Spring 2012
Click to enlarge the program.
Fourth-grade teaches about lunch waste
Our Art teachers, Neina Frankfurth and Jeni Schoemaker, along with our 4th grade students made an iMovie and created a book during the 2010-2011 school year that showed the students how much waste we produce at lunch. This iMovie inspired our lunchtime recycling program. Below are some pictures that are included in the book.(Click to enlarge the pictures) The iMovie is included in our packet.
Fifth-grade learns about the Chesapeake Bay
Fifth-grade learned about the Chesapeake Bay using the Bayville website. Students will be working on podcasts where they discuss salinity in the bay.
| 5th_salinity_podcast.m4a |
The 5th grade students took samples of water from our pond and discovered the differences between animal and plant cells. Please click on the pictures to enlarge them.
Fifth-grade students made rockets out of recycled materials in September 2012. This project was used to launch the 5th grade science unit on space.
Students get a chance to play a recycling game in technology. 2012-2013 school year.
GreeNewIt- We will have 2 assemblies and a stem day on April 23, 2013. Please click below to read about the company that will provide these activities for our students. You can also click to see some of the activities we will do for STEM Day.
| our_lesson_plans.docx |
Spring/Summer 2013- Forest Ridge will have an outdoor classroom installed. This project will be led by a former student who will complete this for his Eagle Scout project.
