Valley Elementary school takes class outdoors By Amanda Isley • Staff writer
WARM SPRINGS - The traditional constraints of the classroom - four walls, floor and ceiling, will soon give way to open space, grass and skies over head at Valley Elementary School thanks to the efforts of sixth- and seventh-grade science teacher Nicki Wolfe.
For months, Wolfe has worked to plan an outdoor classroom for 2,000 square feet of property in front of the school. Divided into two phases, the project is designed to provide students with hands-on application of a number of important Standards of Learning lessons.
Teachers across the state are working to improve scores on science SOL tests, and Wolfe's outdoor classroom will provide a fun learning environment for any subject matter, she said.
"The kids are learning a lot about the Chesapeake Bay and I think this outdoor classroom can help them realize they are tied into the environment," she explained, "I'd like to get every grade level outside to do an activity."
In the past, teachers have opted to stay indoors, saying students were too easily distracted outside and did not pay attention. On the contrary, says Wolfe. "I hold class outside a lot and they really do pay attention. They love being outside." One quick threat to return to the classroom usually suffices if the students' attention begins to stray, she added.
The first phase of the project includes planting perennial and annual plants, constructing a frog pond to help students learn about life cycles, planting a variety of herbs that were first brought over by English settlers, building a bird feeding area, a composting area, creating and wall murals to hang on the side of the building as large posters. In addition, the elementary art class will make stepping stones for the garden.
Not only will the outdoor classroom be an asset to science teachers, but history, math and English teachers can all find applicable uses for it.
For example, the herb garden can be used to teach students about Virginia's English settlers and the culture they brought with them. Also, it can serve as a creative environment for journal writing during English class.
Phase one is scheduled for completion in June and the entire project should be completed by November, she said.
During phase two, a bat house will be added to the outdoor classroom. There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding bats, but they can be an asset in a natural environment, she said. "They can eat about 1,000 mosquitos in an hour, which will help keep populations down around the frog pond."
Also in the planning stages is the addition of a math grid built out of cement pavers. It would resemble a sheet of graph paper, she explained. Wolfe also hopes to have students plant a vegetable garden.
Not only would it be educational but it could provide an opportunity for community service. Students could grow the vegetables and then donate them to The Springs Nursing Center, she said.
Already the outdoor classroom project has inspired the inception of an ecology club for students in grades five through seven. Christine Hodges, director of 4-H and Bath extension officer is helping with the club by teaching members about the environment and ways to preserve it.
The support doesn't stop there. Wolfe said she has received offers from all sectors of the community. Ellen Reynolds of the Mountain, Soil, Water Conservation District designed the garden area and also taught Wolfe and her students how to lay what is called a lasagna garden. A lasagna garden helps put nutrients back into the soil, explained Wolfe. It consists of six layers of newspaper, old hay, and mulch. As the materials decompose, earthworms work their way to the surface to feed on the newspaper, which aerates the soil. Since the soil at VES isn't great for growing anything, the lasagna garden was essential, she said.
In addition, residents have contributed money and supplies. The project has grossed $450 so far, and shovels, pond construction, a bird bath, wheelbarrow, and mulch have been donated by businesses and individuals in the area. The Bath County High School Student Council Association is also donating a sign for the garden.
Wolfe has enjoyed support both from the administration and school board. Students from her classes gave a presentation to the school board in December to inform them of the concept.
No funding for the project has been requested of the board, and Wolfe said she has applied for several grants. However, results are not in yet. "I hope to find out in about two weeks."
As the project makes rapid progress, Wolfe says, "The kids are really excited about it."
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