First three weeks

We started the year with a focus on our local environment. The kids have learned a little about some of the native plants that we have at the school (bay, oak, red bud, yarrow, milkweed and toyon). And we are just finishing an insect unit. The kids learned different methods that entomologists use to catch insects and created an inventory of the insects that live at the school. My goal was to estimate the number of species this year as a baseline, and repeat this activity after the native areas establish. All classes collected insects, looked at them under the microscope and had time to do detailed drawings. The owls (K-1) also spent sometime in the outdoor classroom collecting natural materials and playing. The eagles (2-4) and crows (5-6) completed short research projects on insects.

Owls collecting natural materials from the garden to use in the outdoor classroom.

 

Insect collection

Crows teaching owls  about native plants

Crows and owls drawing insects

Eagles study native plants.

Insects study - collecting, observing and drawing.

 

Crows studying insects

At the Bohart museum

Eagles taking a closer look at insects.

Reading about insects.

Drawing insects