Shevchenko's Outdoor Classroom

The grade 4, 5 and 6 classes at Shevchenko School would like to create an environmentally responsible outdoor learning space. This space will include a rock garden surrounded by seating for students. We will use materials that have been recycled from their original use (ie. Old railroad ties from a farmyard and rocks from farmers’ fields). Also we will include aspects of the natural environment by planting trees and topping each seat with grass. We will include many items from the curriculum in the learning space. These include rocks (grade 4), a homemade weather station (Grade 5) and electricity (grade 6) which will be introduced through the inclusion of a fountain. This learning area will be in an area where members of the community will be able to use it. These members will include the local daycare as well as local seniors. This will provide a great place for everyone to meet outdoors as well as a way to teach the students how to work together and how to respect the environment. Local environmental organizations (Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration, Seine-Rat River Conservation District) are working with the classes to build this space as well as to educate the students.