Structures for
environmental Learning
IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO BUILD A GARDEN
Starting in spring of 2013, one of our staff memebers (Erica Glass) worked indefatigably, to organize a courtyard renovation. In September of 2013, about 50 members of the Bollman Bridge community, (past and present, students and their families, staff members and their families), all gathered to dig, clean, build, and plant. We removed invasive species, weeded, built new garden boxes, filled them with soil, and planted. We replaced the butterfly bushes with bulbs and Black-Eyed Susans. We planted vegetables in the garden boxes and created signs so the community could enjoy the growth. We cleaned out the entire courtyard so that students and staff members now have a usable learning space and outdoor calm space. We used donations of truck usage, tools, and soil from the company (Michael Baker Corporation) of a staff member's spouse.. It was an inspiring gathering of energy and environmental devotion that created a beautiful gift of space and garden vegetables for the community to enjoy. This experience is a vision of what the Green School movement is meant to be at Bollman Bridge.
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Growing food in the garden
YUMMMMMMMM!
The growth of the garden has been just as exciting as the building and planting of the garden. Since the garden is in the highly visible courtyard, the entire community gets to appreciate the art of veggie development. Our students have been introduced to a variety of types of lettuce, from spinach to romaine to arugula. The carrots and beans from the garden make the familiar vegetables taste like a whole new delicacy. The Green Team has enjoyed brainstorming distribution methods for the vegetables. So far, the Green Team has enjoyed the vegetables of our labors. The long-term lessons of teaching the ease of planting to the beauty of its treats are bound to be ingrained in our students' lives as they grow. |
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OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT ALL AROUND Students lessons are enhanced by seeing the garden grow. The plants are used for measuring activities, for predictions and for life lessons (after our freeze). All students, including students with special needs, benefit from both experiencing learning outdoors and the calm of the space. Students in classes from math to language arts to art to science use the classroom for everything from appreciating the natural light to a context for their lessons. Sometimes, just a breath of fresh air or an outdoor yoga break can support any learning experience. One of our goals for the coming year is to make our outdoor classroom friendly for all types of lessons, with seating and basic classroom supplies available for all. |
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