SOLON — Last Tuesday Solon High School (SHS) and Solon Intermediate School (SIS) students came together for a unique outdoor learning experience, conducted by the high schoolers, at the Solon Recreation and Nature Area (SRNA). And, it all started with a book, and a new class.
This year SHS students began a new science class called Outdoor World touching on a variety of science standards with an emphasis on being taught outside. Also, March Sutton (District Media Services Specialist) reached out to science teachers about the book Willodeen, by Katherine Applegate, a parable about a fragile environment. Combining the book and class, Sutton suggested the 4th graders could experience and explore nature and science outdoors in collaboration with the high school students.
The result was the first Willodeen Nature Day consisting of six activity stations designed by the high schoolers and related to topics on science in nature inspired by the book, with guidance and much heavy lifting from SHS science teachers Dawn Posekany, Kaitlin Hatcher, Elizabeth Wessels, and Ken Beck.
“These topics allowed us to make connections between literacy and nature,” said Beck. “High school students read the book and kept track of ideas they had for topics of stations that could be interesting and tied back to the book.” Beck noted the teachers received a grant from the Solon Education Foundation (SEF) to purchase copies of the book for the students to read.
This project was one of many initiatives funded throughout the year by the Foundation said SEF Board member Megan Laing.
“Every year, early in the fall, teachers can apply for a grant (through SEF) for classroom projects and we really encourage ‘outside of the box’ learning projects, or cross-building or cross-grade collaboration, and this is a really great one they came up with involving the new Outdoor World class and the fourth graders.”
For more information on the SEF including past grants, how to make a donation, and how to join the Board of Directors, go to www.solonedfound.org.
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SHS student William Katzer scoops up some mud from the pond at the SRNA as SIS fourth graders Titus Rohner (left) and Liam Benninghoven watch during Willodeen Nature Day Tuesday, May 14 at the SRNA. SHS students led a series of natural science study activities based on the middle school book Willodeen by Katherine Applegate. Students at the pond searched the mud for bugs and other micro-organisms.