OBJECTIVE 1.1: ENVIRONMENTAL Curriculum and INSTRUCTION
Use of the Environment as
a Context for Learning
Owl Pellets (2017-2019)
(approx. 95 students/year 10 staff)
Each year our 5th grade students examine owl pellets to examine the diet of the owls. Students use tools to dissect the pellet and then use a chart and categorize the bones by size and shape. Then students are able to identify what the owl consumed for dinner.hammond_elementary_5th_grade_single_owl_sp2018.pdf
g5.q4.l03.etrg_owlpelletanalysis.docx
(approx. 95 students/year 10 staff)
Each year our 5th grade students examine owl pellets to examine the diet of the owls. Students use tools to dissect the pellet and then use a chart and categorize the bones by size and shape. Then students are able to identify what the owl consumed for dinner.hammond_elementary_5th_grade_single_owl_sp2018.pdf
g5.q4.l03.etrg_owlpelletanalysis.docx
Bonnie Cabbage Plant Program
(All 3rd Grade Students 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19)
The Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program is a wonderful way to engage children's interest in agriculture, while teaching them not only the basics of gardening but the importance of our food systems and of growing our own," said Stan Cope, President of Bonnie Plants. This unique, innovative program exposes children to agriculture and demonstrates, through hands-on experience, where food comes from. The program also provides youth with valuable life lessons in nurture, nature, responsibility, self-confidence, and accomplishment. All 3rd graders receive lessons, fill in tables and graphs as they measure the height and diameter of their plants weekly, and take care of their own plant. Several plants are kept in the school garden for the all students to observe and every 3rd grade student takes one home to plant in a pot or garden. Keeping away the worms is quite a challenge, but one the students gladly accept.
(All 3rd Grade Students 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19)
The Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program is a wonderful way to engage children's interest in agriculture, while teaching them not only the basics of gardening but the importance of our food systems and of growing our own," said Stan Cope, President of Bonnie Plants. This unique, innovative program exposes children to agriculture and demonstrates, through hands-on experience, where food comes from. The program also provides youth with valuable life lessons in nurture, nature, responsibility, self-confidence, and accomplishment. All 3rd graders receive lessons, fill in tables and graphs as they measure the height and diameter of their plants weekly, and take care of their own plant. Several plants are kept in the school garden for the all students to observe and every 3rd grade student takes one home to plant in a pot or garden. Keeping away the worms is quite a challenge, but one the students gladly accept.
Below is a Rap Written by a Member of the HES 4th Grade Green Team
Watershed (2017-2019)
(approx. 95 students/year 10 staff)
The Chesapeake Watershed Model is a hands-on interactive demonstration of the sources and effects of water pollution. It demonstrates how storm water runoff carries pollutants through the watershed to ponds, lakes, river, bays, and eventually the ocean. Best management practices are discussed in order to prevent this pollution from occurring. Students participate in setting up the watershed with animals, farms, factories, houses, cars, etc... In order to imitate the effects of pollution, students then squirt bottles of different colors of liquids to mimic the movement of pollution and observe the effects.
hammond_elementary_school_robinson_field_trip_confirmation_3.29.18.pdf
(approx. 95 students/year 10 staff)
The Chesapeake Watershed Model is a hands-on interactive demonstration of the sources and effects of water pollution. It demonstrates how storm water runoff carries pollutants through the watershed to ponds, lakes, river, bays, and eventually the ocean. Best management practices are discussed in order to prevent this pollution from occurring. Students participate in setting up the watershed with animals, farms, factories, houses, cars, etc... In order to imitate the effects of pollution, students then squirt bottles of different colors of liquids to mimic the movement of pollution and observe the effects.
hammond_elementary_school_robinson_field_trip_confirmation_3.29.18.pdf
Rubik's Cube
24 students (2016-19)
Even the 4th grade Rubik's Cube Club gets into the environmental action. Creating a mosaic of Jane Goodall and posting research and information about her in the front lobby was an exciting way to teach the school community about her important accomplishments and her study of chimpanzees. Caring for all of the living creatures of our earth is a priority for all of the HES students.
24 students (2016-19)
Even the 4th grade Rubik's Cube Club gets into the environmental action. Creating a mosaic of Jane Goodall and posting research and information about her in the front lobby was an exciting way to teach the school community about her important accomplishments and her study of chimpanzees. Caring for all of the living creatures of our earth is a priority for all of the HES students.
River Study (2015-2019)
5th Grade
(approx. 55 students/year)
Each year fifth grade students participate in a River Study unit where they learn about different factors that threaten our local creeks, rivers, and eventually the Chesapeake Bay. After researching specific issues, each student selects a local issue to study and then proposes a solution to the problem and presents it to the class. Each student creates a 3-D model along with a written explanation.
1st HSO Hammond Symphony Orchestra
All students in the first grade (2017-2019)
First grade incorporates a wonderful stem activity within the sound unit which involves the use of recycled materials. Students make observations about sound in the real world and how it communicates information. Students apply knowledge of sound and vibration through engineering by using recycled materials to design and create an instrument that vibrates and creates sound. They use their instruments to perform in the Hammond Symphony Orchestra, conducted by a special guest. What a great way to reuse trash and recyclables! You must come visit the orchestra! It's an experience you will never forget.
(Below are the shirts and instruments created by the students which were displayed for a fair. A video of the performance was running in one of the classrooms.)
All students in the first grade (2017-2019)
First grade incorporates a wonderful stem activity within the sound unit which involves the use of recycled materials. Students make observations about sound in the real world and how it communicates information. Students apply knowledge of sound and vibration through engineering by using recycled materials to design and create an instrument that vibrates and creates sound. They use their instruments to perform in the Hammond Symphony Orchestra, conducted by a special guest. What a great way to reuse trash and recyclables! You must come visit the orchestra! It's an experience you will never forget.
(Below are the shirts and instruments created by the students which were displayed for a fair. A video of the performance was running in one of the classrooms.)
Lifecycle of a Darkling Beetle (2014-2018)
3rd Grade Approximately 25 students each year
Earth 911 participants keep an aquarium of mealworms to watch the lifecycle of the Darkling Beetle. They are able to find the beetle at all stages (egg, larva, pupal stage, beetle) and scream with delight when the first beetle appears. They feed the beetles pieces of potato, carrot, and apple. Measuring mealworms each week in millimeters and charting their growth brings math into the fun! The population of mealworms increases rapidly and are used as feed on the bluebird houses too.
3rd Grade Approximately 25 students each year
Earth 911 participants keep an aquarium of mealworms to watch the lifecycle of the Darkling Beetle. They are able to find the beetle at all stages (egg, larva, pupal stage, beetle) and scream with delight when the first beetle appears. They feed the beetles pieces of potato, carrot, and apple. Measuring mealworms each week in millimeters and charting their growth brings math into the fun! The population of mealworms increases rapidly and are used as feed on the bluebird houses too.
Kindergarten
The Butterfly Lifecycle
(approximately 100 students yearly 2012-2019)
All students in kindergarten learn about the lifecycle of a Painted Lady butterfly. They start with very small larva and care for them until they are ready to emerge from the chrysalis. Releasing the butterflies is always a very exciting and sometimes sad day for our young environmentalists. Plants that attract butterflies have been planted in the garden and butterfly garden to bring these beautiful insects to the school ground.
The Butterfly Lifecycle
(approximately 100 students yearly 2012-2019)
All students in kindergarten learn about the lifecycle of a Painted Lady butterfly. They start with very small larva and care for them until they are ready to emerge from the chrysalis. Releasing the butterflies is always a very exciting and sometimes sad day for our young environmentalists. Plants that attract butterflies have been planted in the garden and butterfly garden to bring these beautiful insects to the school ground.
Vermicomposting
4th Grade Green Team
25 members (2016/17, 2017/18)
Environmentalists in the 4th grade Green Team love worms! Creating a healthy container for their red wigglers was the first step. A large plastic container complete with drainage holes and a catch tray filled with damp shredded newspaper was the perfect habitat. Then students created a schedule, collected food that would have been trashed from the cafeteria, cut the food up, and fed the wigglers weekly. Spraying the container to keep the paper damp was also done on a regular basis. They also researched about worms and observed them with magnifying glasses. The beautiful, dark, rich compost created was spread on the school garden prior to leaving for summer break. Students quickly learned that worms are very beneficial to our soil!
Turtle Talk 2017-2018
Howard County Conservancy (105 fifth grade students and 10 staff members)
Every year a representative visits fifth grade students to teach them the lifecycle of turtles native to Maryland. Students have the opportunity to learn new facts, touch the turtles, and ask questions.
2nd Grade Friends of the Earth
(approximately 25 students each year / 2012-2019)
Each year a group of environmentalists from 2nd grade join the Friends of the Earth seminar. They meet for 30 minutes each week to learn about our environment and to learn more about taking care of our Earth, to work in the vegetable and butterfly gardens, and to complete projects on the school grounds. Feeding the birds in the winter is always a favorite activity. Mrs. Cradler, a master gardener from Howard County, comes in to teach them all about native birds in their backyard and encourages them to identify and create habitats in their backyards that will attract birds of all kinds. The pictures below capture just a few of the wonderful projects these students have worked on! From here they hope to join Earth 911 in 3rd grade!
(approximately 25 students each year / 2012-2019)
Each year a group of environmentalists from 2nd grade join the Friends of the Earth seminar. They meet for 30 minutes each week to learn about our environment and to learn more about taking care of our Earth, to work in the vegetable and butterfly gardens, and to complete projects on the school grounds. Feeding the birds in the winter is always a favorite activity. Mrs. Cradler, a master gardener from Howard County, comes in to teach them all about native birds in their backyard and encourages them to identify and create habitats in their backyards that will attract birds of all kinds. The pictures below capture just a few of the wonderful projects these students have worked on! From here they hope to join Earth 911 in 3rd grade!
Kindergarteners Learn About Recycling (2016-2019)
(Approximately 100 Kindergarten students each year)
Every year the 4th grade Green Team loves to introduce the new kindergarten students to recycling in school and at home. They created 30 different Bingo cards of recyclable items and practiced reading Michael Recycle until they were reading fluently and with a lot of expression. Michael Recycle tells the adventures of a young superhero whose power allows him to teach people about recycling. On the special day, they go into the kindergarten class, share the story, and then play the recycling bingo game with the kindergarteners. Kindergarteners shout RECYCLE when they have bingo. The Green Team travels to all 5 classes to teach about recycling. What fun is had by all!
(Approximately 100 Kindergarten students each year)
Every year the 4th grade Green Team loves to introduce the new kindergarten students to recycling in school and at home. They created 30 different Bingo cards of recyclable items and practiced reading Michael Recycle until they were reading fluently and with a lot of expression. Michael Recycle tells the adventures of a young superhero whose power allows him to teach people about recycling. On the special day, they go into the kindergarten class, share the story, and then play the recycling bingo game with the kindergarteners. Kindergarteners shout RECYCLE when they have bingo. The Green Team travels to all 5 classes to teach about recycling. What fun is had by all!
Trout in the Classroom
(2012-2019)
(approx. 100 students each year)
Each year our 4th grade students participate in a program called Trout in the Classroom. This program affords students many opportunities such as: raising fish eggs to fingerlings, monitoring tank water quality, learning about stream habitat, learning to appreciate water resources, and understanding the connection between all the stream ecosystems. The daily schedule for tank monitoring allows different students the ability to see what tests need to be run in order to maintain a healthy habitat for the trout.
(2012-2019)
(approx. 100 students each year)
Each year our 4th grade students participate in a program called Trout in the Classroom. This program affords students many opportunities such as: raising fish eggs to fingerlings, monitoring tank water quality, learning about stream habitat, learning to appreciate water resources, and understanding the connection between all the stream ecosystems. The daily schedule for tank monitoring allows different students the ability to see what tests need to be run in order to maintain a healthy habitat for the trout.
HES Art Teachers Love the Earth
(2018-2019)
Third grade artists analyzed and discussed the animal portraits of Beth Van Hoesen. Using reference photos, each student created a painting featuring the close-up view of an animal face. The portraits are presented with either a full front, profile, or 3/4 view. They discussed the question, "Does the view affect how you feel about the personality of the animal?" Thank you to our art teachers, Mrs. White and Mrs. Ross, for using animals to teach art skills.
(2018-2019)
Third grade artists analyzed and discussed the animal portraits of Beth Van Hoesen. Using reference photos, each student created a painting featuring the close-up view of an animal face. The portraits are presented with either a full front, profile, or 3/4 view. They discussed the question, "Does the view affect how you feel about the personality of the animal?" Thank you to our art teachers, Mrs. White and Mrs. Ross, for using animals to teach art skills.
Zam's Quest (2018/2019)
4th Grade Seminar (10 students/1 staff member)
Students in this weekly seminar students look at real world problems and try to come up with solutions through role-playing the stake holders in a conservation drama. Students research and then they defend their research. They will see that their voice makes a difference and that the things they do affect the environment. They have studied topics such as the decline of the cheetah population in Namibia and the decline of the seahorse population in the Philippines. After learning about conservation concerns around the world, they then look in their own community for a conservation problem to solve and take action. In the past the Zam's Quest groups have planted white turtlehead to bring back the Baltimore Checkerspot, made oyster reef balls, and planted milkweed on the school grounds. This year's group is very concerned about the effects of plastic bag pollution on the animals in the environment. They are in the process of developing a plan to educate the community and encourage reusable bags. Letters will be written to the local government leaders asking to adopt a "no plastic bag" policy for stores. These young people are changing the world.
4th Grade Seminar (10 students/1 staff member)
Students in this weekly seminar students look at real world problems and try to come up with solutions through role-playing the stake holders in a conservation drama. Students research and then they defend their research. They will see that their voice makes a difference and that the things they do affect the environment. They have studied topics such as the decline of the cheetah population in Namibia and the decline of the seahorse population in the Philippines. After learning about conservation concerns around the world, they then look in their own community for a conservation problem to solve and take action. In the past the Zam's Quest groups have planted white turtlehead to bring back the Baltimore Checkerspot, made oyster reef balls, and planted milkweed on the school grounds. This year's group is very concerned about the effects of plastic bag pollution on the animals in the environment. They are in the process of developing a plan to educate the community and encourage reusable bags. Letters will be written to the local government leaders asking to adopt a "no plastic bag" policy for stores. These young people are changing the world.
Journey North Tulip Test Gardens
(2018/2019 - 24 fourth grade students and 22 second grade students)
This past fall, our Green Team and Earth 911 clubs planted Red Emperor tulip bulbs in Journey North Test Gardens to monitor seasonal change in a scientific way. This spring, when plants emerge and bloom, gardeners will report their observations and data. One garden at a time, the relationship between climate, geography, and the arrival of spring is revealed.
This spring, students will create a garden profile, make observations, report findings, and simultaneously watch the wave of spring as it moves across the globe.
Journey North keeps garden observations in a permanent database. With longterm data, important scientific questions can be explored: How do the Earth's different climate conditions affect plant growth? What patterns do the data reveal? Are variations normal? How does this spring compare with previous years?
We are creating citizen scientist at HES.
(2018/2019 - 24 fourth grade students and 22 second grade students)
This past fall, our Green Team and Earth 911 clubs planted Red Emperor tulip bulbs in Journey North Test Gardens to monitor seasonal change in a scientific way. This spring, when plants emerge and bloom, gardeners will report their observations and data. One garden at a time, the relationship between climate, geography, and the arrival of spring is revealed.
This spring, students will create a garden profile, make observations, report findings, and simultaneously watch the wave of spring as it moves across the globe.
Journey North keeps garden observations in a permanent database. With longterm data, important scientific questions can be explored: How do the Earth's different climate conditions affect plant growth? What patterns do the data reveal? Are variations normal? How does this spring compare with previous years?
We are creating citizen scientist at HES.
Kindergarten Gardeners
(all kindergarten students each year 2012-2019)
Kindergarten students learn about the lifecycle of a plant by planting sunflower seeds and caring for them. At just the right time, they transplant their seedlings into the HES butterfly garden. They are surprised in the fall when the plants are taller than them with giant flower heads.
(all kindergarten students each year 2012-2019)
Kindergarten students learn about the lifecycle of a plant by planting sunflower seeds and caring for them. At just the right time, they transplant their seedlings into the HES butterfly garden. They are surprised in the fall when the plants are taller than them with giant flower heads.
Lifecycle of a Frog
Friends of the Earth
2nd Grade (2017-2018)
The 2nd grade environmental club set up an aquarium to watch the lifecycle of a frog. They observed the frog from a tadpole to tadpole with legs to a frog. The frog was released into a local creek on the school grounds. What a fun time was had by all!
Friends of the Earth
2nd Grade (2017-2018)
The 2nd grade environmental club set up an aquarium to watch the lifecycle of a frog. They observed the frog from a tadpole to tadpole with legs to a frog. The frog was released into a local creek on the school grounds. What a fun time was had by all!
2nd Grade Recycled Cardboard Arcade
(2015-2019)
Approximately 50 students each year participate in an enrichment program about economics. Using the engineering design process, students invent their own cardboard arcade games using all recycled materials and a cardboard box. The Miller Arcade opens each year during the school's Enrichment Fair.
(2015-2019)
Approximately 50 students each year participate in an enrichment program about economics. Using the engineering design process, students invent their own cardboard arcade games using all recycled materials and a cardboard box. The Miller Arcade opens each year during the school's Enrichment Fair.
Connecting Art with Literacy (2015-2016)
Connecting Art with Literacy(2012)
Fifth grade students read the book, “Listen to the Wind – The Story of Dr. Greg and Three Cups of Tea.” Students discussed personal and social responsibility in making our world a better place. Using torn recycled paper, each student created a collage showing one way in which they can make a positive contribution to our world. These young artists expressed possible solutions to pollution, poverty, hunger, homelessness, animal abuse, violence, and racism in these beautiful works.
Fifth grade students read the book, “Listen to the Wind – The Story of Dr. Greg and Three Cups of Tea.” Students discussed personal and social responsibility in making our world a better place. Using torn recycled paper, each student created a collage showing one way in which they can make a positive contribution to our world. These young artists expressed possible solutions to pollution, poverty, hunger, homelessness, animal abuse, violence, and racism in these beautiful works.
Cherish the Chesapeake 2008-2019
4th grade
During “Cherish the Chesapeake” students researched environmental concerns involving our Chesapeake Bay watershed. They were placed in small groups and given real life issues that dealt with animal waste, over fertilizing of crops, overharvesting fish and crabs, and the development of resorts and communities. Then they created a plan and solved the problems. Resolving issues required higher level thinking skills such as critical thinking, decision-making, and problem solving. This activity enabled students to develop skills necessary for understanding issues and for making informed decisions that can lead them to appropriate action. Finally, the students worked in small groups to create models to demonstrate their solutions. This authentic activity created Chesapeake Bay advocates for a lifetime!
We "Mustache" You a Question
If you were the Lorax, how would you help the Earth?
During Earth Week, April 22-26, 2013 Mr. Walsh utilized Pixie 2 to engage students in writing during technology. Students became the Lorax! Completed writings were hung for all to see on a bulletin board.
If you were the Lorax, how would you help the Earth?
During Earth Week, April 22-26, 2013 Mr. Walsh utilized Pixie 2 to engage students in writing during technology. Students became the Lorax! Completed writings were hung for all to see on a bulletin board.
Critters
Across the Curriculum
(Praying Mantises in First Grade)
Integrating science, geography, math, and language arts was a natural process as the first grade students took a real life adventure observing the life cycle of praying mantises. Students in first grade responsibly cared for 2 praying mantis egg cases. They observed the three stages the mantis goes through (egg, nymph, and adult), known as metamorphosis. They read about these marvelous insects and learned so many interesting facts. Where do they live? What do they eat? How do they protect themselves? They read Diary of a Worm and then wrote their own Diary of a Praying Mantis. They all hope to see their baby mantises again one day out in the Hammond community! (2013)
Original Animals 4th Grade 2009-2013
Following a study of biomes and habitats, each 4th grade student designed an animal that would survive in a particular habitat. First they each drew a picture of an animal and labeled the different parts. Then, the animal's features were listed and explanations were written on how each feature would help the animal to survive in its habitat. Students had to consider the animal's size, how it will obtain water, what it will eat and how it will catch its prey, how it will keep warm/cool, how it will move, and how it will defend and protect itself from predators. You can see from the pictures below that the HES 4th graders learned a lot!
The Rotten Truth
2nd Grade (2011-2013)
Students in 2nd grade were curious to find out how long it takes for trash to decompose. They predicted on bar graphs the extent to which they thought each item would decompose. Then they made landfills and filled them with a variety of organic and inorganic materials. After waiting 3 months, they carefully excavated the soil in search of the remains. Again, they made bar graphs to represent the extent to which the materials decomposed. They were very surprised when they could no longer find the cheese puff, cracker, newspaper, and sticky note. Finally, they researched how long it takes items to decompose. They were shocked to learn that a glass bottle takes one million years to decompose!
"Now I understand why we need to reduce, reuse, and recycle!" said one student!
"Now I understand why we need to reduce, reuse, and recycle!" said one student!
Trout in the Classroom (2007-2019)
4th Grade
Trout in the Classroom offers HES 4th grade students a chance to raise trout in a classroom setting and then release them into a nearby stream or river. Caring for the fish starts to foster a conservation ethic in the students, and the act of walking to a stream bank and directly releasing the fingerlings into the water makes a concrete connection between caring for the fish and caring for the water. Students learn the direct relationship between the cleanliness of local water ways and the impact on the health of the fish in the water.
The Incredible Strength of the Bess Bug
(3rd Grade Math and Science)
Bess bugs are know for the amount of weight they can pull relative to their actual weight. They are the workhorses of the bug world. HES third graders decided to adopt a bess bug and test its strength. Students had to decide how they would measure the amount of weight and how long it would take the bess bug to pull the weight. A discussion about what tools we would need and how we would measure the bess bugs strength proved to be very interesting.
Erosion Control 4th Grade 2009-2013
Students in fourth grade used soil, sand, gravel, and sprinkler jars to find out how soil coverings protect the Earth's surface from erosion. They made predictions about which soil covering would hold back the most soil. Then they set up their experiment. After tilting a plastic container containing a soil covering, they took turns using the sprinkler to make a slow, steady, rainfall on the hill of soil, sand, or gravel. They learned that erosion causes changes in Earth's surface; it transports materials from one area and deposits them in another. As a follow up they explored the school grounds in search of signs of erosion. They developed many creative solutions including the use of mulch, grass, plants, bushes, trees, and more. Making landscape models helped them to understand erosion!
Michael Recycle
Kindergarten
2013-2019
The fourth grade Green Team wanted to share their knowledge and love of waste reduction with younger students. They were given a reader's theater script entitled Michael Recycle. This script is based on a fictional book entitled Michael Recycle, by Ellie Bethel. Michael Recycle tells the adventures of a young superhero whose power allows him to teach people about recycling. The fourth grade Green Team visited the kindergarten through third grade classes and performed their reader's theater. Then they stayed to play a game where students had to sort recycling and trash. The Green Team is hopeful that this lesson will encourage the HES primary students to reduce their waste at home and in school.
michael_recycle | |
File Size: | 189 kb |
File Type: | michael recycle |
michael_recycle.pdf | |
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Zam's Quest (2011-2019)
4th Grade
This program ties students into actively learning about things they can do to make positive changes in their lives and the world around them using inquiry, empathy, and creative thinking. Zam’s Quest allows students to look at real world problems and encourages them to come up with solutions through role-playing the various players in each conservation drama. Students are allowed a period of time for research on the situation and then they defend their research and their culture. This provides valuable empowerment for each student involved. They will see that their voice makes a difference and that the things they do affect the environment.
Flowing From the Rivers to the Bay (2000-2019)
4th Grade
Every year the 4th grade students create a mural depicting the direct relationship between the local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. Students research an animal in the Chesapeake Bay habitat and then create the animal to add to the mural. Each student draws a picture of a plant or animal, identifies and describes the habitat where it lives, discusses its means of survival, and identifies any interesting facts. These research projects are displayed yearly at the Hammond Enrichment Fair. By the time all of the students add their animals to the mural, it comes alive. Everyone is so excited to see the display and all the animals that have been created. This mural has been a hallmark activity for many years at HES.
Fancy Nancy: Every Day is Earth Day
Fancy Nancy: Every Day is Earth Day
By Jane O'Connor
In Mrs. Davis' media class, nine first grade students listened to Every Day is Earth Day on Nooks. Reading on Nooks is a pilot program in 2013 at HES. Besides being interactive and engaging, Nooks are eco friendly. Students are able to read and discuss the same story without purchasing multiple copies of the same book.
After listening to Every Day is Earth Day, a discussion was held about National Recycling Day. Students drew their favorite scene from the story which was all about "BEING GREEN"!
By Jane O'Connor
In Mrs. Davis' media class, nine first grade students listened to Every Day is Earth Day on Nooks. Reading on Nooks is a pilot program in 2013 at HES. Besides being interactive and engaging, Nooks are eco friendly. Students are able to read and discuss the same story without purchasing multiple copies of the same book.
After listening to Every Day is Earth Day, a discussion was held about National Recycling Day. Students drew their favorite scene from the story which was all about "BEING GREEN"!
Learning about the Chesapeake Bay in Technology (2012)
In technology, 4th grade students learned about the habitat of the Chesapeake Bay. Students read about the condition of the bay and how farming and chemicals effect the bay waters. Students then researched animals from the bay and prepared a powerpoint slide.
Blue Bird Houses
(4th-5th Grade)
A group of students in 4th grade had noticed last year that they weren’t seeing any bluebirds in the courtyard. In years past, these birds had been plentiful. After doing some research, these students decided to build bluebird boxes to help attract bluebirds back in the courtyard. They organized their research and made a series of cards with facts about the bluebirds. These cards will be attached to the birdhouse posts so people can read about the bluebirds when they visit the courtyard. The students ordered kits to make the boxes and began researching where they should place the boxes when they were finished. The school year ended and so now as 5th graders these students are assembling the bluebird boxes and will put them in the courtyard in a few weeks. Along with the boxes will go their informational cards for people to read as they enjoy the bluebird boxes. We eagerly await the return of our bluebirds!
Toys in Action....First Grade (2001-2013)
HES first grade students investigated the forces that make objects move in the Toys in Action science unit. Students were asked to design and construct a vehicle that moves by the forces they discovered. This vehicle was to be constructed from recycled materials that can be found around the house. Teachers encouraged the use of recycled materials instead of store-bought materials (i.e. Legos, Knex, etc…). Students were to be the main builders of this vehicle, and parents were encouraged to enjoy observing their child design and build this vehicle. What a great way to apply their learnings.
toymaking_letter.docx | |
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Plants and Trees
November 2010-2012 / Technology
3rd grade students learned about the importance of trees and plants to our environment. In this lesson students learned how trees and plants reproduce, create oxygen, and provide pollen for bees. Students will investigate and understand that in order for seeds to germinate and grow they must receive certain basic needs: food, air, water, light, and a place to grow. Students created a model plant in Pixie on the computer and labeled the parts of the plant.
3rd grade students learned about the importance of trees and plants to our environment. In this lesson students learned how trees and plants reproduce, create oxygen, and provide pollen for bees. Students will investigate and understand that in order for seeds to germinate and grow they must receive certain basic needs: food, air, water, light, and a place to grow. Students created a model plant in Pixie on the computer and labeled the parts of the plant.
"Poem"ography
(2011-2012)
“Poem”ography provides second grade students instruction and opportunity to develop poetry writing and photography skills. Poetry provides these second graders with such freedom – it can be punctuated or unpunctuated, rhymed or unrhymed. It’s all about experimenting with form and fun! Together, the HES "poem"ographers decided to take a nature walk and capture pictures of the beautiful outdoors. After downloading their pictures they wrote a poetry book entitled, The ABC's of Spring. Everyone enjoyed sharing these books at the Enrichment Fair and cherished keeping their own personal copies. The poem below, LEAVES, was created from a list of adjectives the writers brainstormed after being inspired by many varieties of leaves. They were so excited to explore the different shapes, aromas, tastes, textures, and colors. After writing about these leaves, they identified them using The Leaf Key to Common Trees in Maryland created by the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Maryland.
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Dissecting Owl Pellets (yearly)
The 4th grade students dissect owl pellets each year as part of the science curriculum. Students can find out quite a bit about an owl's lifestyle through careful examination of the pellet's contents. Since most of the prey's bones are not actually broken during the attack and the subsequent digestion process, they can be readily identified in the pellet. Most pellets include a skull or skulls, which makes identification of the prey relatively simple. If multiple prey are consumed in a short period of time, then only one large pellet is formed from their remains. Once the students open the owl pellets, they organized the bones according to size and type. Afterwards they compare the bones to charts and decide what animal had been eaten by the owl.
Insects, Insects, Everywhere/3rd Grade/2011/ 2012
Nature
artist Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) inspired third grade artists to draw a
variety of moving insects in a painted environment. Students were challenged to use diagonal lines to create a
sense of movement and to overlap organic leaf shapes to show an illusion of
distance. All insects, whether real
or imagined, demonstrate the students’ prior knowledge of scientific
insect parts. These beautiful pictures were finished
in marker, crayons, and transparent watercolors. The HES art teachers, Mrs. White and Ms. Roche, integrate environmental studies into their curriculum whenever possible.
Mealworms 4th Grade 2013-2019
Presenting Mealworms is an interdisciplinary unit incorporating science, technology, and math (specifically measurement). In this unit, students gathered data on the habits, food preferences, classification, life cycle, characteristics, and anatomy of mealworms. Students performed “hands-on” activities with live specimens and followed the scientific method of investigation. Powerpoints were then created by the students to show the 4 stages of complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, and adult.)
Rocket Ships (Math and Science)
As part of a 5th grade G/T math unit, students learned about rocket ships and their main components (body, capsule, nosecone, fins, escape tower, etc.). They used ratio and proportion to design the tile wall on the inside of the ship. Then the class decided to use recyclable materials to build their rocket ships. They used different size plastic bottles as the rocket body and make the fins out of cardboard and fins out of paper. While they collected the materials, the students had time to design their rockets. Once they had their materials they began building their rocket ships. Everyone enjoyed the activity especially decorating their rocket ships.
Kindergarten Gets Their Hands Dirty
Sunflowers (Yearly)
April 2012-19 Science/Kindergarten
Through literature students are introduced to plants as living things in their environment. Students identify what is needed for plants to grow and sequence the stages of plant growth. Students plant sunflower and tomato seeds and keep a journal as they observe the plants progress. The sunflowers are planted in the courtyard so students can continue to monitor their growth through the end of the school year. The tomato plants will be sent home with the student.
Through literature students are introduced to plants as living things in their environment. Students identify what is needed for plants to grow and sequence the stages of plant growth. Students plant sunflower and tomato seeds and keep a journal as they observe the plants progress. The sunflowers are planted in the courtyard so students can continue to monitor their growth through the end of the school year. The tomato plants will be sent home with the student.
Nature" Ography
5th grade students took pictures of nature around the school ground and then wrote a diamante poem based on the pictures they took. Students utilized Comic Life to design their diamante poem. (November of 2011 and November of 2012)
Great Pacific Garbage Patch
2nd grade (2013)
Using close reading strategies, second grade students read and comprehended an article from the local newspaper about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This article inspired them to reduce, reuse, and recycle the plastic in our school and community. After brainstorming a long list of ideas, each student then picked one idea they would promise to follow. They committed to this promise in writing and displayed all their learnings on a hallway wall for all to see! How will you help to solve the problem of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? Little by little, we can all make a difference.
Life Cycles
4th Grade Science (Yearly)
Students in the fourth grade identified the importance of the sun in the food chain, and described the roles within food chains and webs" producers, consumers (e.g., scavengers, predators, prey), and decomposers. To demonstrate understanding, they then created their own food chain mobile. Below are some examples of their work. All students presented their food chains to the class.
Oyster Reef Balls (2012-13)
The 5th grade Chesapeake Bay Club loves to help save the oyster population in the Chesapeake Bay by building oyster reef balls that get dropped into the Bay by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation each year. Students learn about the oyster habitat and then participate in a three week long seminar after school during which reef balls are made. During our first meeting, Mrs. Sandy August from WSSC comes to the school and talks to the students about the importance of the reef ball program. Students have a “ball” mixing the concrete mixture and pouring it into the mold. The ball cures for several days and then the students unmold the ball and start the process over again. In May the balls are dropped into the Chesapeake Bay to help the oysters find new homes to live and thrive. Other fish can live inside the mold and hide from predators.
Eco Club Tee-Shirts
(5th grade Math)
2013
As part of the 5th grade G/T math curriculum students are asked to pretend that they are part of an Eco Club. Students are given a scenario to use as a backdrop for creating algebraic expressions in which they need to design a tee shirt with an environmental theme on the front. The 5th grade G/T math class designed a tee shirt on poster board as a model for a real tee shirt. What an exciting way to learn algebra.
Invasive Species 4th Grade/ 2013
Fourth grade students in Mrs. Rappaport's class were shocked when they learned about invasive species while studying cause and effect! They discovered that invasive species are non-native organisms whose introduction to new areas may result in harmful effects on human and environmental health and economic costs. After reading different texts on the same topic, students synthesized the information in both texts. "WANTED" posters were created to share their knowledge! Each poster was accompanied by a paragraph explaining the effects of invasive species. Garlic mustard, stink bugs, and gray squirrels were showcased in this unit! They will showcase their projects at the HES Enrichment Fair and share this knowledge with the community!