Creating a Schoolyard Habitat Site By- Cindy Brewer

The Schoolyard Habitat Movement: The National Wildlife Federation’s Schoolyard Habitats Program assists schools, teachers, students and community members in the creation and restoration of wildlife habitat and in the use of school grounds as learning sites for wildlife conservation and interdisciplinary learning. The National Wildlife Federation’s Schoolyard Habitats Program assists schools, teachers, students and community members in the creation and restoration of wildlife habitat and in the use of school grounds as learning sites for wildlife conservation and interdisciplinary learning. “Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most profound. How else to describe the growing schoolyard education movement that has at its heart one fundamental axiom: Take those kids outside!” “Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most profound. How else to describe the growing schoolyard education movement that has at its heart one fundamental axiom: Take those kids outside!” -- Stephen R. Coffee, Executive Director of Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment -- Stephen R. Coffee, Executive Director of Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment

Reasons We Should Restore Natural Habitats To Children: The Bio-Psychological Reasons The Bio-Psychological Reasons -relieves stress -relieves stress -relaxation -relaxation -enjoyment -enjoyment The Environmental Reasons The Environmental Reasons -to know is to care -to know is to care - childhood experiences tend to produce adult - childhood experiences tend to produce adult activism activism The Developmental Reasons The Developmental Reasons -children are multisensory, physical beings -children are multisensory, physical beings - fosters social-emotional development and creativity - fosters social-emotional development and creativity

Environmental Studies Goals: Awareness and Knowledge- should provide children with an opportunity to develop a basic understanding of the problems surrounding the natural environment. Awareness and Knowledge- should provide children with an opportunity to develop a basic understanding of the problems surrounding the natural environment. Caring- should help children develop the attitude for the use and quality of the environment, and give them the feeling that they have a personal investment in their natural surroundings. Caring- should help children develop the attitude for the use and quality of the environment, and give them the feeling that they have a personal investment in their natural surroundings. Action- should provide children with the opportunity to do something themselves and with others about improving the environment and harming it no further. Action- should provide children with the opportunity to do something themselves and with others about improving the environment and harming it no further.

Human- Environment Interaction: Enduring public Issues: How can humans best live with the natural environment? How can humans best live with the natural environment? North America already overwhelmed many ecosystems. North America already overwhelmed many ecosystems.

Alabama Course of Study Objectives to be used during the year for planning, implementing and maintaining a Schoolyard Habitat: Social Studies: (Kindergarten) Social Studies: (Kindergarten) ACOS#7- Identify representations of Earth using technology, maps, and globes. ACOS#7- Identify representations of Earth using technology, maps, and globes. Social Studies: (First Grade) Social Studies: (First Grade) ACOS#7- Identify ways to take personal action to protect the environment. ACOS#7- Identify ways to take personal action to protect the environment. Science: (Kindergarten) Science: (Kindergarten) ACOS#6- Compare size, shape, structure, and basic needs of living things. ACOS#6- Compare size, shape, structure, and basic needs of living things. ACOS#7- Classify objects using the five senses. ACOS#7- Classify objects using the five senses. ACOS#18- Compare size, shape and structure of living things. ACOS#18- Compare size, shape and structure of living things. ACOS#19- Describe how offspring resemble parents. ACOS#19- Describe how offspring resemble parents. ACOS# 22- Describe a variety of habitats. ACOS# 22- Describe a variety of habitats. ACOS# 23- Describe natural homes of animals. ACOS# 23- Describe natural homes of animals. ACOS# 21- Describe ways in which living things react to changing conditions ACOS# 21- Describe ways in which living things react to changing conditions

Objectives cont. Science: (First Grade) Science: (First Grade) ACOS#4- Describe survival traits of living things, including color, shape, size, texture, and covering. ACOS#4- Describe survival traits of living things, including color, shape, size, texture, and covering. Math: (Kindergarten) Math: (Kindergarten) ACOS#10- Complete data displays such as single-loop Venn diagrams and yes/no charts using real objects, concrete representations, or pictorial representations. ACOS#10- Complete data displays such as single-loop Venn diagrams and yes/no charts using real objects, concrete representations, or pictorial representations. Math: (First Grade) Math: (First Grade) ACOS#10-Compare objects according to length, weight, and capacity. ACOS#10-Compare objects according to length, weight, and capacity. English: (Kindergarten) English: (Kindergarten) ACOS#12-Exhibit an awareness that information may be obtained from a variety of sources. ACOS#12-Exhibit an awareness that information may be obtained from a variety of sources. ACOS#19-Use writing skills. ACOS#19-Use writing skills. English: (First Grade) English: (First Grade) ACOS#15-Use appropriate sources for obtaining information. ACOS#15-Use appropriate sources for obtaining information.

Four Elements: Food- native vegetation or feeders Food- native vegetation or feeders Water- ponds or birdbaths Water- ponds or birdbaths Cover- plant life ranging in size, height and density Cover- plant life ranging in size, height and density Places to Raise Young- dense vegetation, water, bird houses, bat boxes Places to Raise Young- dense vegetation, water, bird houses, bat boxes

Implementation: Starting the Process Starting the Process Gathering Information Gathering Information Assembling the Elements Assembling the Elements Ensuring Continued Success Ensuring Continued Success

Websites:

Pictures of Schoolyard Sites: Montessori School of Huntsville Montessori School of Huntsville Montessori School of Huntsville Montessori School of Huntsville Bankston Elementary School Bankston Elementary School Bankston Elementary School Bankston Elementary School Cape Elementary School Cape Elementary School Cape Elementary School Cape Elementary School Baker Elementary Baker Elementary Baker Elementary Baker Elementary

Certification: Upon completion, your school will be certified as an official Schoolyard Habitats site by the National Wildlife Federation! Upon completion, your school will be certified as an official Schoolyard Habitats site by the National Wildlife Federation!

Not a pretty site!

Wildlife we could attract:

Final Thought: