KINDERGARTEN
|
|
Kindergarteners, approximately 110 each year, participate in a couple science units that integrate environmental education, mathematics and language arts. This unit, the Checkerspot Challenge, focuses on the life cycle of the Checkerspot butterfly and how structures in nature such as beaver dams, influence the life cycle and viability of this species. Combining what they have learned through research and mathematical measurements, students plan and build a beaver dam in the Hillcrest Maker Lab. Some of the kindergarten classes partner up with 2nd graders to help with their dam build since 2nd grade also has environmental construction projects in their curriculum. We also invited Mr. David Capka, Director of Dam Safety for FERC, to come teach classes about various types of dams and their common components prior to the dam building. In April 2017, each group had to work cooperatively and then test the water flow of their dams.
Kindergarten teachers use the courtyard and our vegetable garden to spark an interest in reading. Using reading materials that relate to the natural environment and activities on the schools campus allows students to further connect to the subject matter. In this example from Oct. 8, 2015, about 24 students read See It Grow, a booklet about the growing of a tomato plant., while in the garden. They were then able to make their own observations based on our plants and pick some tomatoes to eat for snack.
Farm Experience - In the Fall of each year, the entire Kindergarten class, about 110 students, visit Farmer's Stan Agriculture Farm to learn about agriculture and the autumn harvest.
Our creative Kindergarten team is always looking for new ways to introduce and connect students to the natural world. In June of 2015, one teacher and her 24 students, came up with a clever way for students to get close up and personal with the butterflies they raised in the classroom before releasing them. The butterflies were placed in a small tent, that students each had a chance to sit quietly and observe the butterflies up close. The butterflies were then released in our courtyard.