Dirt, worms, and an outdoor setting are the perfect scene for students to learn more about plants and nature.
Fourth grade students in Jean Murphy-Morgan’s class at Rexford-Longfellow Elementary in Clintonville enjoyed that setting at an event in Olen Park on Wednesday, May 29.
Four stations were set up, and students rotated between stations to learn more about seeds and planting. Expert assistance was provided by Dr. Pete Oberhauser, Connie Abert, and other volunteers.
“The fourth graders had a great time at Olen Park thanks to our wonderful presenters,” said Murphy-Morgan. “Our day wouldn’t have been nearly as successful without the help of Connie and her crew, and Dr. Peter Oberhauser.
“I asked my students to write about things that they learned that day and I had a great variety of responses,” she continued. “Learning to compost and getting their own mini compost bags complete with red worms, making seed mosaics, tasting micro greens, experimenting with seed tape, and planting their own plants to bring home were big hits as well as learning all about trees and photosynthesis.”
At the end of the day, students were able to bring many things home with them, including their worm compost bags, mosaics, seeds in a baggie to watch germinate, and their potted plants.
The students were able to bring many things home with them including their worm compost bags, mosaics, seeds in a baggie to watch germinate, and their potted plants.
“Getting students out of the classroom and into the natural world is very important,” said Murphy-Morgan. “Children don’t spend as much time exploring the outdoors on their own as they use to, and because of this they often don’t have the appreciation for nature and the environment that we would like them to have.
“We could have done any of these activities in the classroom, but allowing students to experience them outside, in the fresh air, makes them more exciting and bringing the students outdoors promotes that appreciation for our natural world,” she concluded.