Systemic Sustainability: 1.1 Curriculum and Instruction
6th Grade Lesson: Storm Water Management
Background
After conducting CBF's Schoolyard Report Card with her 6th graders, the desire to engage students in hands-on and real-world application of lessons brought science teacher Debbie Sparby to the PTO to appeal for funding a project: a storm drain rain garden on school grounds, to be installed entirely by students during class time, following their lessons on run-off. The PTO was more than happy to provide the seed to get this garden started. These rain gardens continue to be maintained by 6th grade students. This is completed as a 6th grade service learning project which combines environmental literacy and stewardship.
The basis for the plan and the presentation to the PTO was a chapter from a book Mrs. Sparby had read, Inside Out Environmental Science Classroom: Grades K-12. So inspired was she, that she wanted to bring the project to life for her students. Having completed the CBF Schoolyard Report Card as part of lessons for the past few years, she also knew the school and community could benefit from such a project.
Educational Content
Before the students tackle their maintenance projects each year, our volunteer Watershed Steward, Mr. Dawson, leads instruction on the construction/maintenance of a rain garden and its purpose for storm water management. You can see his lesson/presentation materials here.
Over time, three, gardens have been established on school grounds and are continuously maintained. This success spread from the campus of SPMS out into other parts of our town. Systemic sustainability in action!
After conducting CBF's Schoolyard Report Card with her 6th graders, the desire to engage students in hands-on and real-world application of lessons brought science teacher Debbie Sparby to the PTO to appeal for funding a project: a storm drain rain garden on school grounds, to be installed entirely by students during class time, following their lessons on run-off. The PTO was more than happy to provide the seed to get this garden started. These rain gardens continue to be maintained by 6th grade students. This is completed as a 6th grade service learning project which combines environmental literacy and stewardship.
The basis for the plan and the presentation to the PTO was a chapter from a book Mrs. Sparby had read, Inside Out Environmental Science Classroom: Grades K-12. So inspired was she, that she wanted to bring the project to life for her students. Having completed the CBF Schoolyard Report Card as part of lessons for the past few years, she also knew the school and community could benefit from such a project.
Educational Content
Before the students tackle their maintenance projects each year, our volunteer Watershed Steward, Mr. Dawson, leads instruction on the construction/maintenance of a rain garden and its purpose for storm water management. You can see his lesson/presentation materials here.
Over time, three, gardens have been established on school grounds and are continuously maintained. This success spread from the campus of SPMS out into other parts of our town. Systemic sustainability in action!
- Classroom Presentation- October: Proposed Designs and Why
- Lesson Plans for the Classroom Exploration of Runoff and its Impact on the Watershed
- Student Product: Soil Runoff Investigation
