Curriculum and Instruction
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Pre-K 4
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Teachers integrated recycling and planting when they revitalized their garden. Students cleaned out mulch, put down soil, planted spring bulbs, and then created stick and recycled fabric piece scarecrows to "guard" our flowers.
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Kindergarten
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Students went on a trip to the Pumpkin Farm where they learned about the importance of farm life: from taking care of animals to growing vegetables and flowers. We are learned the uses of corn and why farming and agriculture is a vital part of our Earth.
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Grade 1
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Students learned about plant life cycles and composting. The previous class (2014-2015) put our Halloween pumpkin in the garden to watch it rot. Subsequently we grew a pumpkin plant. The next year's class (2015-2016) examined the plant for length, texture, color, blossoms. We hypothesized about why we had blossoms and no pumpkins. Students recorded observations and watched how long it took for the plant itself to rot. We discussed why rotting plants (i.e. composting) are good for the environment.
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Grade 2
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Students complete an environmental science unit culminating in a field trip to Jug Bay Sanctuary where they learn about wildlife and habitat restorations.
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Grade 3
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Students do an Environmental unit on animals and habitats culminating in a trip to SERC, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center which includes hands-on and inquiry-based lessons in their outdoor classrooms and microscope laboratory. Our program was called “Estuary Chesapeake” and consists of four activity stations: water testing, plankton, seining and oysters. For this activity students are tasked with answering questions like “What is water quality and how does it affect life in the Bay?”
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Grade 4
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Students learn about different types of energy. The students read the BGE booklets. Using the information in them, they made posters about non-renewable energy sources and renewable energy sources. They also made posters about how to save energy at home and at school.
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Grade 5
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5th graders attend a field trip at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center. They participate in different activities: Catch a Bay Critter, the students wade in the water using seining nets and skimming nets to catch animals in the water. This allows them to see the different species in the Chesapeake Bay, and determine the health and importance of the bay. Remarkable Oyster: the students learn and discuss the importance of oysters in the Chesapeake Bay. They explore various types of oyster reefs and examine a live reef to find inhabitants. Guided Kayak Tour: This allowed the students to experience the wetlands and view wildlife. They were able to discuss the importance of the wetlands and restoration projects.
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Grade 6
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Science students examined electric bills during a unit on electricity. They interpreted graphs to identify peak electricity usage. Ways to save electricity were brainstormed and shared and students made “Turn off the Light” switch plate reminders to hang at school and at home on their iPads.
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Grade 7
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Students will do water quality studies of waterways in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. They will also perform a blue crab dissection as part of their life sciences studies and relate the importance of healthy Bay waterways to the survival and well-being of the blue crabs.
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Grade 8
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Students will study the primary pollutants of the Chesapeake Bay water shed and how runoff is related to the level of pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. Students will focus on nutrients and how it relates to poor water quality as part of their chemistry curriculum when they study the Periodic table of elements.
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Science Fair
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In Grades 7 and 8, students are encouraged to choose Science Fair Experiments relating to restoring the Bay. Projects can move on to County and State level competitions.
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