Crawfordville Elementary Hosts First Project Learning Tree Week

During the week of March 29 – April 2, Crawfordville Elementary School held their first Project Learning Tree Week of activities for all kindergarten through fifth grade students.  “Wild about Wildlife” was this year’s theme.  Rodger Tripp, also know as the “Safari Man” kicked off the week with two assemblies for the K-2nd and 3rd -5th grade groups.  Safari Man entertained the crowds with numerous self-written songs aimed at preserving the environment as well as its inhabitants.  On Tuesday, Bob Livingston a Master Beekeeper shared basic beekeeping, the structure of beehives and equipment with all kindergarten, first and second grade classes.  Patti Sanzone of Florida Department of Environmental Protection conducted a watershed activity showing the effects and uses of groundwater runoff for all third through fifth grade classes.  On Wednesday, Maria Williams of the Florida Wildlife Commission presented bear safety education in two assemblies for the different age groups.  Through audience participation and video clips, she shared various scenarios of what to do when one encounters a bear.

Thursday welcomed three presenters from St. Marks Wildlife Refuge.  Kindergarten and first grade classes enjoyed the “Web of Life” activity with Barney Parker which demonstrated the animal food chain.  Second and third grades participated in a hands-on lesson entitled “Who Polluted the St. Marks River?” with Christine Barnes while fourth and fifth grades learned all about Whooping Cranes, their diet and imprinting with Lori Nicholson.  Each fourth and fifth teacher had to dress in a costume to demonstrate how bird surrogates must resemble and perform the duties of a real mother Whooping Crane.

{sidebar id=1}The finale for the week was an aerial remote controlled airplane and helicopter show featuring Dr. Michael Atkinson and John Hall of Seminole Radio Control Club.  Students watched as the flying lawnmower, helicopter, drop plane featuring streamers and parachute Army men fluttered high in the blue skies.  With music playing, two planes danced the “Limbo” flying way down under to see how low they could go before touching the ground.   What an exciting and fun-filled week it was as classroom teachers conducted lessons and special activities that were used to enhance the week-long celebration.  The Project Learning Tree Planning Committee consisted of Catherine Cutchen, Angela DenBleyker, Renee Kelly, Maggie Strickland and Barbara Updegraff who worked tirelessly in making contacts to presenters as well as developing a school-wide schedule of events.

Crawfordville Elementary would like to commend Safari Man and Bob Livingston, St. Marks Wildlife Refuge’s Christine Barnes, Lori Nicholson and Barney Parker, FDEP’s Patti Sanzone, FWC’s Maria Williams and Seminole RC Club members, Dr. Michael Atkinson and John Hall for sharing their time and talents with the Crawfordville Cougars during Project Learning Tree Week.

This article originally published on April 13, 2010.

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mkwestmark

 

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