Beauty From Ashes: Planting New Life in the Burn Zone
My students need 2 seed germination kits, a water cycle model, a classroom greenhouse, and more. They need the knowledge gained, and the new plants, to help replant the mountain that burned behind our school in a wildfire recently.
Imagine the mountain behind your school is on fire. Fear? Anger? Worry? My students are determined to bring Beauty from the Ashes and replant the mountain that was scorched in a fire. They will be doing more than just planting trees. They will be cultivating resiliency and a hope for the future.
Our school is located on a Native American reservation in the Southwest.
None of my students live above the poverty line and we have 100% free/reduced breakfast and lunch at our school. They eat ALL of their vegetables, because, well, at least it fills their bellies. Many of my students will go home on the weekend and not eat until they return Monday morning. Yet, they come to school, EVERY SINGLE DAY. They come mostly with smiles, occasionally a dirty shirt, and rarely tears.
Their hearts are as big as their land. I have spotted kids sneaking food out of the cafeteria to feed to a lonely dog on the way home. In fact, on a recent field trip up to the burn zone, a dog tagged along. The students noticed she had a rope tied too tight around her neck. They stopped to untie the rope for her. This is their spirit. They are giving. They are survivors. THEY are beauty from ashes.
My Project
As a 4th grade class, we study the Water Cycle. We also study Weathering & Erosion. I could teach these lessons out of a book, with no real connection to their lives. Or, you and I can make these lessons come ALIVE (literally)!
With this donation, I will be able to purchase a Water Cycle kit that will bring the large, earth-wide water cycle, down to a smaller scale. They will be able to see the water evaporating and then condensing and falling as precipitation. This particular kit shows the rain running down hill. The mountain that burned is right behind our school. They will see the impact that the rains will have on our mountainside and our school.
With the germination kits and greehouse, we will be able to plant our own seeds and watch them grow. No longer will the root system be a mystery under the ground. The students will be able to see the roots and understand the relationship the roots have to holding the soil on the mountainside. Finally, we will plant them in the burn zone.
Unlike many other tribes that have developed casinos, this tribe relies heavily on tourism and hunting/fishing for their income.
The fire on the mountain is not only an eye-sore, but also a hindrance to tourists. I fear the income levels will drop even more due to the burn zone.
Of course, as a teacher, I hope my students learn the Science lessons. However, I hope we can inspire a life-long passion for learning. Who knows? This may spark a new generation of learning. Beauty from ashes.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Rodriguez and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.