My wife and I made the decision this year to drive our daughter, Magnolia, all the way across town to attend a school with a Nature and Science focus. We had been up in the air about the best educational choice for our daughter but after learning about Big Thompson Elementary and its 4 acre outdoor classroom, worm composting bins, school garden, and beautiful natural setting, we knew this was the school for us.
This week I had my first chance to really check it out when the school asked for parent-helpers to help with a special outdoor education day. The teacher took attendance then sent the kids out to the Outdoor Education Center where the first graders enjoyed learning about insects by going on a real bug hunt.
This week I had my first chance to really check it out when the school asked for parent-helpers to help with a special outdoor education day. The teacher took attendance then sent the kids out to the Outdoor Education Center where the first graders enjoyed learning about insects by going on a real bug hunt.
We followed grasshoppers, ants, and beetles. We watched a huge spider who had caught a grasshopper in its web. We watched a black and blue wasp carry a dead spider into a safe grassy spot. We examined bees covered in pollen moving from flower to flower. We even talked about and built habitats for insect to live in using the natural materials all around us.
After lunch we studied seeds. We dissected lima beans to see what was in a seed then searched all over our Outdoor Classroom trying to figure out how plants distribute seeds. We saw seeds in the bear scat, saw seeds blowing in the wind, and picked sticky seeds off our clothing.
The kids and adults had a blast in this beautiful outdoor setting. We all learned a lot and became more connected with our local surroundings. The entire experience was so awesome. Thank you Big T. and Colorado State University Environmental Learning Center for providing these kids such a great educational experience.
~Andy
