Curriculum and Instruction
The Kindergarten students went to Sharps Farm in March 2017 to learn about planting native gardens. They also went on a hayride to learn about various plants, environmental needs of livestock and ways to keep our environment clean.
Kindergarten students designed birdhouses to be placed on school grounds. Their reflections below demonstrate the diverse reasons that providing habitats for animals is important (February 2018). We also used reusable materials to create a safe habitat for the birds. We learned about how creating houses is good for birds because it protects them and their eggs from other predators, as well as a place to build their nest. The students reflected on how building the houses effects them and their environment. In the Science curriculum, the students learn about animals and their environment so by learning and creating bird houses, it directly connects to the curriculum.
In March 2016, the students learned about growing indigenous plants in Maryland from the local Master Gardener, Mr. Jennison. Through the use of a power point he presented what plants need to grow, how to care for the indigenous plants and then allowed the students to choose a small plant to take with them to plant in their garden at home.
Students in kindergarten learned about Earth Day. The students used recycled coffee filters, magic markers and spray bottles filled with water to create their Earth. The students listened to the book Dear Children of the Earth, and wrote letters to family and friends explaining why we should take care of our planet (April 2016).
First grade students took a walking field trip to the nearby pond to collect evidence of the change of seasons. First grade takes advantage of the close proximity of the nearby trails and pond so that students are visiting the outdoor environment closest to them with scientific observation. Seasonal patterns and plant activity was discussed (October 2017)
First graders read The Lorax by Dr. Seuss and discussed how they can be like the Lorax to better take care of our Earth by protecting our natural resources (February 2018).
Second graders learned about properties of matter. In class, four properties were explored through an investigation (flexibility, absorbency, hardness, texture/smooth). This was an extension activity that I had my students do to show their understanding of the properties of a leaf. The students went on a nature walk to collect at least two different kinds of leaves. Once leaves were collected, the students observed/discussed the properties in small groups. Then students were told to create a poster to show their thoughts. (November 2016)
Second grade students observe, record and discuss the painted lady butterflies. The goal of the lesson is to observe that butterflies serve as pollinators and are thus important to their surroundings. The body of the butterfly was observed under the Smartscope to be able to better understand how the body helps transfer pollen (May 2016).
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Students from Ms. Michaelian’s 2nd grade class were learning about changes in Earth’s landscapes. The students explored the local environment and notice that there was erosion near the pond. The water:
“Rushed down the hill and created a ditch, which ran into the pond,” said Phoebe.
Callum stated, “The dirt, plants and soil has been worn away by the water rushing down the hill to the pond.”
“The Earth’s landscape changed when the water wore away the dirt, grass and soil heading to the pond,” remarked Aiden.
The students also pointed out near the pond that animals such as duck and geese have been nesting near the pond as the reeds near the pond were bent and they could see imprints of wear the animals had been laying.
(December 2017)
“Rushed down the hill and created a ditch, which ran into the pond,” said Phoebe.
Callum stated, “The dirt, plants and soil has been worn away by the water rushing down the hill to the pond.”
“The Earth’s landscape changed when the water wore away the dirt, grass and soil heading to the pond,” remarked Aiden.
The students also pointed out near the pond that animals such as duck and geese have been nesting near the pond as the reeds near the pond were bent and they could see imprints of wear the animals had been laying.
(December 2017)
Here is a picture of a third grade student recording weather observations in their science journal. Weather was a unit of study in Quarter 1 third grade science standards. This third grade class enjoyed being outside so much during Quarter 1 that they ask to go outside for weather observation all year long even on the warmer days of winter! That is why they are wearing their winter coats. The students love doing their science classwork outside and learning outside about the world around them.
During the 1st quarter of the 2017-2018 school year, the 4th grade class at Thunder Hill Elementary learned about healthy eating and how natural foods are grown. The students participated in a 3-day event called “Days of Taste”. On October 5, a chef came to the school to teach students about healthy eating and improved nutrition. On October 13, students went on a field trip to a local farm. At the farm, students observed how plants and vegetables were grown. Students got to see firsthand where fruits and vegetables seen in grocery stores come from! Finally, on October 19, the chef returned to the school, and the students made a salad and homemade dressing. Students sampled foods that many had not tasted before. The students had a great time and learned about healthy eating. Howard County Master Gardner Yvonne Howard organizes and all of fourth grade participates.
In this lesson, 5th grade students are focusing on the hydrosphere. The hydrosphere is all of the water on Earth including the polar ice caps and glaciers. Components of the hydrosphere interact through the water cycle and students learn how the hydrosphere and geosphere interact when precipitation lands on earth. Students will use models to observe that precipitation runs off of impervious surfaces (rocks) and seeps into porous/permeable surfaces (soil, sand). Students will also see that water flows from higher altitudes and collects at the lowest points in the model. Students should be able to infer that water flows from high points to low points because of gravity (September, 2017)
Students will be exposed to the impact humans make on the environment and how those impacts affect the Bay (hydrosphere). This lesson will address erosion and runoff from urban, suburban, and rural areas. This lesson will also address point and non-point source pollution. Point Source pollution is pollution that comes from a single source, such as a factory or wastewater treatment plant. This is easy to locate and POINT out. Non-point source pollution does not have one specific source, such as a factory. Non-point source pollution comes from the cumulative effect of a region's residents going about their everyday activities, such as fertilizing a lawn or driving a car and is HARD TO POINT OUT. The lesson will also contain ways to address and help correct these issues. Some of the techniques presented to help reduce pollution will include erosion control, riparian buffer systems and good practices to cut back on making pollution.
Each April the students, staff, and families participate in the annual Thunder Hill Steam Day. Throughout the school day, students rotate through workshops that engage them in learning about content area topics through STEM and the Arts. Each session is scheduled for approximately 45-60 minutes. Each presenter presents workshops through 3 consecutive rotations. On average, 25-30 students attend each session, although some presentations may accommodate up to 50 students. Below is a recycled weaving project created during steam day 2015 by 5th grade students and an invitation. The link provided is a video showing steam day activites from 2016.
https://vimeo.com/130091174
https://vimeo.com/130091174
greeNEWit
School-wide Assembly (March, 2014)
While greeNEWit is an energy solutions firm helping society reduce energy consumption, eliminate waste and save money, they also care about developing our relationship with the community through energy education. Through an assembly on at Thunder Hill Elementary they provided school-wide presentations to educate elementary students on the importance of energy efficiency and how our behaviors affect the environment.
School-wide Assembly (March, 2014)
While greeNEWit is an energy solutions firm helping society reduce energy consumption, eliminate waste and save money, they also care about developing our relationship with the community through energy education. Through an assembly on at Thunder Hill Elementary they provided school-wide presentations to educate elementary students on the importance of energy efficiency and how our behaviors affect the environment.
***Below is information previously submitted in 2014***
Grade 5 team study project: Impact of pollution on the Chesapeake Bay. Fifth grade students are learning about the importance of a riparian buffer. They have been researching various aspects of the Chesapeake Bay to further their knowledge about the Bay's importance and what they can do to help take care of it. The picture below is a piece of steel wool that has been sitting for about two months to demonstrate a chemical change (March, 2014).
Grade 4 Green Lesson Plan – Recycled Heart Bookmarks
· Students went to http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/where-is-the-worlds-largest-pile-of-trash/ to learn about our trash problem. After reading the article and watching the video, they compared the information found in each resource. Students talked about why it's important to reduce, reuse and recycle. Students chose their paper scraps and followed a video tutorial at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqlBicMAOEc. They followed the video step by step. The recycled heart bookmarks were given as gifts with a note explaining that the bookmark shows love for the recipient and the Earth (February, 2014).
· Students went to http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/where-is-the-worlds-largest-pile-of-trash/ to learn about our trash problem. After reading the article and watching the video, they compared the information found in each resource. Students talked about why it's important to reduce, reuse and recycle. Students chose their paper scraps and followed a video tutorial at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqlBicMAOEc. They followed the video step by step. The recycled heart bookmarks were given as gifts with a note explaining that the bookmark shows love for the recipient and the Earth (February, 2014).
Endangered Species Unit, grade 3
Teachers integrated environmental education into the third grade writing curriculum persuasive and expository units. Pairs of students were assigned an endangered species to research on the web. Using their research, students created pamphlets detailing facts about their species and how it can be protected, which they shared with their classmates, providing detailed education on multiple endangered animals. Students then used their research to write a persuasive letter to Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski requesting specific federal action to protect their species.
Teachers integrated environmental education into the third grade writing curriculum persuasive and expository units. Pairs of students were assigned an endangered species to research on the web. Using their research, students created pamphlets detailing facts about their species and how it can be protected, which they shared with their classmates, providing detailed education on multiple endangered animals. Students then used their research to write a persuasive letter to Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski requesting specific federal action to protect their species.
In grade 2, students read a book about conservation and listed things we can do to help save the earth. They followed up the lesson by making posters, listing ideas to save the Earth and writing poems about conservation (March 2014).
Grade 2 made solar bead bracelets (indoor and outdoor). They created windsocks and observed how powerful the wind was. The students learned a lot about solar energy (March, 2014).
Grade 2 made solar bead bracelets (indoor and outdoor). They created windsocks and observed how powerful the wind was. The students learned a lot about solar energy (March, 2014).
Grade 1 Lesson Plan:
Bird Feeder
Grade 1 students built bird feeders from cups. Grains and cafeteria scraps were put in the cups. The cups were placed outside the school and students observed birds in their environment. They developed questions about birds and reported on the research they carried out, including weather conditions, environmental surroundings, presence of people/animals, etc. The observations were carried out during a 3 week period.
Grade 1 students built bird feeders from cups. Grains and cafeteria scraps were put in the cups. The cups were placed outside the school and students observed birds in their environment. They developed questions about birds and reported on the research they carried out, including weather conditions, environmental surroundings, presence of people/animals, etc. The observations were carried out during a 3 week period.
Kindergarten students made Leprechaun traps from recycled materials (March, 2014)