Do you remember the first time a fuzzy caterpillar crawled on your finger? Have you ever had a butterfly land on your shirt? Multiple studies show that positive interactions with the natural environment are an important part of healthy child development. (Carson, 1956; Cobb, 1977; Crompton & Sellar,
We live in a rural area and my first and second grade students adore exploring our campus.
The excitement they feel in finding a caterpillar or watching a butterfly transfers to the classroom we engage in environmental education lessons. This project will allow my students to become involved in hands-on direct observation of caterpillars and butterflies. Children who interact with nature tend to relate to it as a source of wonder, joy, and awe. Nature-related experiences foster a child's emerging sense of wonder. Wonder is referred to by Plato as the source of knowledge and by Edith Cobb (1977) as our source of imagination. Cobb asserts that it is through wonder that we come to know the world.
My Project
Let's bring a bit of the outdoors indoors and allow my students to engage in the magic of learning by doing. It’s only natural to want to learn more about a subject we are interested in. However in a split grade classroom children read and write at many different levels. Every child contributes in a different manner. Environmental Education is a great “equalizer” where everyone’s talents and observations are of value. Your generous donation will provide each child with the materials needed to raise butterflies, understand the importance of camouflage, and build models of the butterfly life-cycle.
Butterflies and caterpillars provide a dramatic and delightful introduction to the amazing world outside the classroom walls.
Your support just might inspire a curious child to become a world-class scientist!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Abordo and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
