Winship science

Last year students from the Winship School were introduced to their outdoor classroom. Since then, it has become an integral part of the school. Science teachers have started to utilize the space more, and a solid outdoor curriculum is in place.

During a recent visit to the school, I found Ms. Walker’s kindergarten class outside learning about leaves. “What color is the leaf?” she asks, and hands are raised. She then instructs the students to look and see what other colored leaves they can find in the area. All the children run to get the task done.

 The students are not only learning about life cycle of trees, but also about decomposition. There is a leaf cage in the outdoor classroom, in which raked leaves are placed. The students watch as they decompose overtime into compost and soil to feed the plants.

The outdoor classroom includes meadowlands and a vegetable garden. Parents and staff help tend the garden throughout the year. This past Saturday, students planted lots of bulbs, as parents raked, picked up trash, and  built new raised beds for planting. “There is a high level of collaboration between teachers and families," says principal Louise Kulman. " Working in teams is a hallmark of instruction in this school! ”