 Featured
Class
Students from Desert View Learning Center in Paradise Valley,
Arizona, have taken an active interest in their local environment. Led
by teacher Raimie Manch, this fourth grade class has studied the ecosystem
of their schoolyard and the culture of the region. What is even more exciting
about these young scientists is their work to increase local biodiversity.
HORIZON commends these solution-oriented youth and their dedication to
protecting their environment.
Drawing and Writing about the Desert
Raimie's students closely observed the desert ecosystem,
thinking about natural features and human activities. They then wrote
letters and drew pictures that captured their environment, and sent these
to pen-pals in Romania. Here are a few of the letters:
 Dear
Alexandra,
1. The desert can get up to 124 °F in the summer.
2. The desert here is called the Sororan Desert.
3. We have paloverde trees here.
People hike, find rocks, and ride horses.
Facts: You often see bald eagles and hawks.
-Carley
 The
desert is hot in the summer. In the winter it can rain. The desert has
a lot of cactus.
Do = play, run, build, look
Facts = wildlife, dirt, rocks, plants
Feel = perfect, wonderful, magnificent
-Bradley
Desert Picture Rocks
To beautify their schoolyard, teach kindergarten students
about the animals in the desert, and scare away a few rabbits, Raimie's
students created picture rocks.
Promoting Biodiversity with
Rock Planters
Students observed that rabbits were threatening the biodiversity
of their schoolyard, so as a class they created four foot tall rock planters
and filled them with native flowers. Students have already noticed more
birds and bees in their schoolyard, an increase in biodiversity as a result
of their creative solution.
  
Alejandro's Gift
 The
class went on to win awards for their environmental project based on the
book Alejandro's Gift. Their exhibit included clay models and
puppets, and they wrote a play based on the story. In addition, their
indoor garden won the prize for the best garden exhibit, and they also
took home the most educational award.
To find out more about this featured class, contact:
Ramie Manch
raimiemanch@hotmail.com
(602) 840-8950
4027 E Lincoln Dr
Paradise Valley, AZ
|
