R2's Celebration of Learning

Last night, R2 had the opportunity to present her work from her projects class to an authentic audience of family and friends. She was one of six students to present her work to our audience. This year in Projects, they have been studying local native plants and animals and ways to promote sustainability on their school campus. Her oral presentation and creative portion comprised raccoons (procyon lotor):

Oral presentation from the point of view of the raccoon.

Explaining the raccoon's place in the food web.

For her creative piece, R2 decided to make a documentary on raccoons. She examined and described a genuine raccoon pelt, interviewed a local ranger who is a raccoon expert, and documented the stories of some raccoon enthusiasts. The file is too big to post here, but trust me, it's an excellent first film!

R2 describing the pelt on film.

After the presentations, R2 took us on a tour of the sustainable gardens her Projects class created this year, including: a pollinator garden, a wild animal habitat (with bird baths), and a native plant garden (with rainwater captures!).

Monarch caterpillar in the pollinator garden right outside her classroom.

Happy caterpillar on a milkweed plant.

The students created these gardens (with adult guidance), complete with native plants, decomposed granite pathways, mulch, rainwater captures, signage and lots of love. It's not visible in this photo, but there is a mole cemetery along one border.

Fountain grass is common here, but non-native and invasive. They pulled it all out!

R2 was assigned to research, plant and care for a "Paseo Rancho Lilac Verbena"
The garden has dense, clay soil, but R2's plant requires soil that drains well. To solve the problem, she decided to dig a larger hole than usual and mix in some compost before planting. Her verbena is thriving!

R2's sculpture of a raccoon and a trash can.

We are so proud of all of her work and growth and learning this year! R1 told her that hour we spent with her guiding us through her processes and accomplishments was better than any report card full of As. Her response was, "What's an A?". . . Success!