Parent Teacher Magazine Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools May/June 2016 | Page 8

Seeds of knowledge Creating outside classrooms

​ ​More than 40 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools participated in Native Plant Pollinator Day April 15 . Schools received kits from Green Teacher Network with native pollinator plants to attract butterflies , bees and hummingbirds .

At Oaklawn Language Academy , students , staff and volunteers from Bank of America and Duke Energy used the kit , grown by the horticulture students at North Mecklenburg High , to expand the school ’ s existing gardens .

“ Our students learn about the natural environment through hands-on activities . They also learn about the larger community they live in by sharing what they grow ,” said Pilar Pedersen , lead teacher for the project . “ We benefit greatly from our schoolyard gardens because we can create outside classrooms .”

The current gardens are filled with a variety of vegetables and herbs , which are donated to Friendship Trays . The organization delivers meals to people who are elderly , disabled or recovering from an illness . This year , the school has donated 70 pounds of vegetables and herbs .

Pedersen teaches a horticulture class during recess for the middle school students interested in learning the basic gardening skills . She said the addition of the pollinator garden provides teachers with another way of giving lessons about living organisms , soil and plants .

“ I ’ ve always helped my mom with her garden . I like that I can learn more about it and help with the ones at school ,” said Cyrus Williamson , a seventhgrader . “ I sometimes come during recess to weed , water and maintain the garden . We attend the school ’ s beautification events , too .”

Before the new garden was planted , Pedersen gave a short lesson about pollinators , bees and composting . She also discussed natural ways to keep unwanted garden pests away and the best colors to wear when gardening . She explained that dark colors like red and black can aggravate bees . They interpret these colors as belonging to predators such as bears and skunks .

“ The best color to wear is white ,” said Penderson . “ This lack of color will usually make bees leave you alone . In fact , if you ever see a beekeeper , you ’ ll know exactly why the outfit is white .” Bank of America volunteer and parent Barbara Gomez found the information and tips helpful . “ My oldest helps with the school gardens and her interests are translating to home ,” said Gomez . “ We are now starting a garden . I ’ m reading books and finding out more on my own . She remains my go-to because of everything she is learning here .” Pedersen is thankful for the resources and support Green Teacher Network provides . “ Each time I attend a workshop or class , I find out something new . I ’ m always excited to share what I ’ ve learned with my students and other teachers ,” said Pederson .

Pederson plans to register the pollinator garden with the North Carolina Wildlife Federation ’ s Butterfly Highway program . It is a statewide conservation restoration initiative intended to restore native pollinator habitats to areas impacted by urbanization , land use change and agriculture across North Carolina . Participation in the project is free . Gardeners pledge to support pollinators by providing a place for the butterflies to rest , have a drink and refuel .

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6 • May / June 2016 • Parent Teacher News