Earth Day took place during a very busy week in Scoil Ghormáin Naofa. As a result of lockdown, we have been exploring the benefits of outdoor learning for positive mental well being. Our staff has been delivering the curriculum in a very hands on manner in our developing outdoor classroom.
We would like every day to be Earth Day in our school and are currently devising a long term plan to utilise our surroundings for learning. All classes are currently involved in projects based in nature and our environment. Students of all ages have been digging, sowing, raking, planting and watering. Infants to first class have been observing and recording data with regard to visits from bees and birds and have started to identify a couple of species. Second and third class are working on the All Ireland pollinator plan supported by Ms. McDevitt and SNAs Finola and Carmel. In connection with this initiative, they are looking forward to an interactive workshop with the National Museum around the theme of bees.
Our parents have been hugely supportive with bird boxes, signage, outdoor blackboards, reading throne and fairy doors all being donated for our outdoor classroom and woodland walk. 6th class will be designing natural décor for the little woods inside our school boundaries. They have also been digging and planting new bushes. 4th and 5th class are currently cultivating a bogland which we hope will provide a habitat to frogs and other species next year.
Planting has been prolific with busy lizzies, sunflowers, fruit and vegetables being grown by our students. Our bug hotel is regularly booked out due to how well it is maintained by the housekeeping staff in Mr. Breen’s class!
Developing our outdoor space has been hugely beneficial in giving children a hands on experience of the importance of our ecosystems and their reliance on us as humans. Future developments will include an owl habitat amongst other ideas.
We have found that the happy chatter and engagement of our children is testament to how active learning is so effective. During assembly we discussed Earth Day and agree that we are merely custodians of Earth with a responsibility to pass it on to the next generation in good condition. We hope that providing our students with these learning opportunities will remind them that every day should be Earth Day.
