Creating an outdoor classroom

This project is a joint venture between several groups at Calderstone including the EcoClub, EcoSchool Committee (made of teachers and community members), the Design and Technology Club and the Pathways program. The Pathways program was developed at Calderstone to provide experiential learning for students struggling to engage in traditional subjects. Students identify their interest in four different streams: cooking, woodworking, fashion and computers. At least forty students will be involved in this project.

For the past two years, the EcoClub and the Calderstone community has worked to green our school. In the 2007/2008 school year, we designed and planted a butterfly garden. In the 2009/2010 school year, we naturalized a part of the school yard, planted indigenous species and began work on an outdoor classroom. This year we would like to continue work on the outdoor classroom by putting in seating for students, extending the naturalized area and creating habitats for birds and amphibians. The students in the Pathways woodworking stream would be working with the students in the Design and Technology Club to design and build a variety of items for the outdoor classroom as well as Claireville Conservation area.

Update (May 2, 2011)

We have done a lot of planning to date and are waiting for the weather to improve before we can head outside. We have been building birdboxes. Other students have been doing research for the best plants for our outdoor classroom and how the plants, bushes and trees will be arranged. The students have been learning that some indigenous plants are ones that are traditionally seen as "weeds" and the importance of drought resistant plants.

Update (June 23, 2011)

The birdboxes were installed in Claireville Conservation Area. Students were able to see the area in which birds live and will be able to see in the fall how their birdboxes were used.

As fundraisers and incentives for EcoSchool activities for our outdoor classroom, we held some contests in the spring to get students excited about these activities. The cupcake and donut parties were a big success in getting students thinking about their relationship to the environment.

We prepared the "floor" of our outdoor classroom by laying landscape fabric and pine bark nuggets. We then put our outdoor classroom seats back into place. It is beginning to look more like a classroom now!

Due to school board permission and survey delays, we will be planting our shrubs and trees in the fall. They will add much needed shade to the classroom and will provide habitat for birds and small animals.