Curriculum and Instruction - Environment in the Classroom
Pre-Kindergarten
The Pre-K class is learning what happens to different types of materials when they are exposed to the elements, by conducting their own experiment.
"Pre-K has utilized the raised garden beds for a science experiment. On December 7, 2011 we dug two holes and buried a bag in each. One bag was a plastic Wal-Mart bag, and the second bag was a brown, paper grocery bag.
What will happen to the bags?
After three months in the dirt, will we be able to find them?
What will they look like?
In March we will dig up the bags to discover what happened."
The AM Pre-K students made illustrations to show what they did in their experiment.
"Pre-K has utilized the raised garden beds for a science experiment. On December 7, 2011 we dug two holes and buried a bag in each. One bag was a plastic Wal-Mart bag, and the second bag was a brown, paper grocery bag.
What will happen to the bags?
After three months in the dirt, will we be able to find them?
What will they look like?
In March we will dig up the bags to discover what happened."
The AM Pre-K students made illustrations to show what they did in their experiment.
Kindergarten
Each spring students in kindergarten plant pumpkin seeds in our EEL. Students learn about the plant cycle and the role insects play in their reproduction. Students enjoy taking nature walks and visiting their own backyard pumpkin patch. The pumpkins are harvested in the fall by the following kindergarten class. The pumpkins, not taken home by the kindergarteners, are seeded used to replant the patch the following spring.
In 2010, we were fortunate enough to have a Mallard duck choose our playground to build a nest and lay 12 eggs. The kindergarteners named the duck and observed her daily. Students kept individual journals of their daily observations.
Each school year, students adopt a tree in the school yard. They observe the tree throughout the seasons and record their observations through artwork.
In 2010, we were fortunate enough to have a Mallard duck choose our playground to build a nest and lay 12 eggs. The kindergarteners named the duck and observed her daily. Students kept individual journals of their daily observations.
Each school year, students adopt a tree in the school yard. They observe the tree throughout the seasons and record their observations through artwork.
Grade 1
Each year students learn about the life cycle of animals by hatching chickens in the classroom. Students set up an incubator filled with dozens of eggs donated by a local farmer. Students measure, monitor, and record the incubator temperature daily. This information is recorded in a classroom log and the data is displayed on a graph. Then students estimate the delivery date and keep track by counting down the days. Once the baby chicks are hatched, students record their observations and track the growth of the chicks. After several weeks, the chicks are then donated back to the local farmer. The first grade students also learn how to repurpose household trash through their Fourth Little Pig lesson. Students bring in their household trash and construct a house for the Fourth Little Pig that can not be blown down. They then record their observations.
Grade 2
In 2010, students were gifted Amaryllis bulbs to start growing over the winter break. When students returned to school, they measured and then graphed the growth of their individual plants. Students recorded data for several months in anticipation of their first bloom.
In spring of 2011, students in grade 2 planted a butterfly garden in the EEL. Before planting, the Green Team along with second graders researched native Maryland species of plants that would attract butterflies. As part of the Life Cycle unit, the class hatched butterflies and released them in the completed garden. Students also visit Sotterley Plantation annually to learn about life cycles and bring milkweed plants back to plant in their butterfly garden.
In spring of 2011, students in grade 2 planted a butterfly garden in the EEL. Before planting, the Green Team along with second graders researched native Maryland species of plants that would attract butterflies. As part of the Life Cycle unit, the class hatched butterflies and released them in the completed garden. Students also visit Sotterley Plantation annually to learn about life cycles and bring milkweed plants back to plant in their butterfly garden.
Grade 3
The third grade students visit the Elms Environmental Center every year to study birds, turtles, and lizards in their natural environment. They also learn about and conduct Ephemeral Pool research. Students locate these pools, which they then measure the size and depth of, take the pH of the water, and the temperature of both the air and water. They then record this data and make observations about what is in these pools.
This year students in grade 3 will be working with a master gardener from St. Mary's College of Maryland. Students will learn about native herbs and their connection to Maryland History. As an outgrowth of this project, students in grade 3 will assist grade 4 students in the planting of their colonial garden. Students also use the outdoor classroom to learn about the decomposition of logs and other materials, including debris from our pumpkin patch.
This year students in grade 3 will be working with a master gardener from St. Mary's College of Maryland. Students will learn about native herbs and their connection to Maryland History. As an outgrowth of this project, students in grade 3 will assist grade 4 students in the planting of their colonial garden. Students also use the outdoor classroom to learn about the decomposition of logs and other materials, including debris from our pumpkin patch.
Grade 4
As part of a science unit, students construct anemometers to measure wind speed on school grounds. Students use this data to determine if the proximity of the Chesapeake Bay to the school has an impact on wind speed. Every year, students visit Historic St. Mary's City to learn about colonial gardens and this year upon returning to school, students will use their new found knowledge to design, construct, and plant a colonial herb garden in the EEL.
Grade 5
Students are currently involved in a worm composting project. Students are learning the importance of recycling and reducing food waste. Thus minimizing the amount of waste our school adds to the landfill. Students bring left-over food from the cafeteria to add to the worm composting bin. The compost produced is then used as fertilizer in the EEL gardens.
The students in grade five are also learning how to reuse and repurpose everyday items instead of throwing them away to end up in a land fill. The students collect used milk cartons from the cafeteria, which are then cleaned and used for starting seeds in the other grades. They also make rain sticks in art class from used paper towel rolls.
They have just completed a unit on the water cycle which culminated in their illustrating their new found knowledge and displaying it in the hallways for all to learn from. They also are experiencing this knowledge first hand with the classroom greenhouses that are germinating plants for our gardens.
The students in grade five are also learning how to reuse and repurpose everyday items instead of throwing them away to end up in a land fill. The students collect used milk cartons from the cafeteria, which are then cleaned and used for starting seeds in the other grades. They also make rain sticks in art class from used paper towel rolls.
They have just completed a unit on the water cycle which culminated in their illustrating their new found knowledge and displaying it in the hallways for all to learn from. They also are experiencing this knowledge first hand with the classroom greenhouses that are germinating plants for our gardens.
Professional Development
Twenty-two members of our faculty and staff recycling training provided by Rick Tarr from St. Mary's County Department of Public Works on November 15, 2011.
On February 9, 2012, twenty-seven members of our faculty and staff also received training in the Hazards of Nature, a presentation written by Kyle Rambo and presented by Susan McDaniel.
Faculty and staff also receive monthly environmental updates that include professional development opportunities, energy consumption data, and general green school information.
Ridge Elementary's Environmental Committee is also planning one of our end of year Staff Development days as environmental training with a guest speaker.
On February 9, 2012, twenty-seven members of our faculty and staff also received training in the Hazards of Nature, a presentation written by Kyle Rambo and presented by Susan McDaniel.
Faculty and staff also receive monthly environmental updates that include professional development opportunities, energy consumption data, and general green school information.
Ridge Elementary's Environmental Committee is also planning one of our end of year Staff Development days as environmental training with a guest speaker.
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Celebrations
Red Ribbon Week - 2010
The Ridge Elementary students celebrated National Red Ribbon Week by planting red tulip bulbs around the trees in the front of the school. The students in every grade enjoyed digging in the dirt and planting the bulbs. They also learned how the bulbs will bloom into red tulips every year to be a reminder to them to stay drug free.
Blue Bird Fair - March 2011
The Ridge Elementary students celebrated National Red Ribbon Week by planting red tulip bulbs around the trees in the front of the school. The students in every grade enjoyed digging in the dirt and planting the bulbs. They also learned how the bulbs will bloom into red tulips every year to be a reminder to them to stay drug free.
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September 11, 2011
The students of Ridge Elementary wanted to do something to commemorate the Tenth Anniversary of September 11th. They decide to plant a pear tree near our outdoor classroom since a pear tree was the only tree left standing at the World Trade Center site. The students felt this was a fitting tribute for the 9-11 Anniversary.
National Recycling Day - November 2011
Our students celebrate National Recycling Day by signing pledges to reduce, reuse, and recycle in our school and at homes. The children make posters to display throughout the school which become every day reminders for the year. This year the students attended a Recycling Assembly where they were able to sort a typical home's daily trash. They students learned that over half of our daily trash can be recycled and taken out of our landfills.
Maryland Day - March 2012
This year our students will celebrate Maryland Day by planting a seedling from the our State Tree the Wye. The students learned a little about the Wye Oak from our Morning Announcement - Green Facts and now some of our 4th and 5th grade students are in the processing of researching the Wye Oak. Their research will be on display for the entire school at the end of the month.
Earth Day- April 2012
This year's Earth Day celebration will be is being completely planned by our students. A suggestion box has been placed in our cafeteria for the students to submit their ideas on how Ridge Elementary should celebrate Earth Day. After spring break, our student Earth Day Committee will then decide which idea or ideas they will implement for our school wide celebration.