Our Schoolyard Habitat is a Living Classroom!

(click on the photos below to view larger versions)

National Wildlife Federation, Schoolyard Habitat

The certified Schoolyard Habitat site at John Adams Elementary is a model of the ecological stewardship and common sense conservation for the city of Alexandria public school community. In addition, it functions as a living classroom that offers students and educators enhanced learning experiences across all subject areas. Whether students are mapping the area for a geography lesson, creating an art project, recording the weather, identifying the components of a habitat, writing in a science journal, labeling native plants of Virginia, or estimating plant growth for math class, the learning is creative, practical, hands-on, and SOL linked.

John Adams' Schoolyard Habitat site #1628 is part of a network of certified sites nationwide. The habitat is home to a wide variety of birds and animals. A special area has also been provided for two rabbits. The rabbits have a hutch that is partially enclosed and they can freely explore the habitat on warm spring days. Two rescued Eastern Box turtles also live in the courtyard. Students enjoy watching the turtles eat bugs and slugs from garden plants. Our courtyard habitat has two raised garden beds, one circular garden area with American flags in remembrance of September 11th, and one bricked garden space with a birdbath. Herbs, perennials, and native plants of Virginia have been selected as the primary plantings of the habitat. The area is kept natural and not mowed. Students can compost cafeteria leftovers in our three compost bins or choose to feed birds using the many types of feeders located in the habitat.

The habitat has been supported with generous grants from the Wal-Mart Education Foundation, the Mitchell Petersen Foundation/Apple Fund and the John Adams P.T.A. Wal-Mart Kingstowne-Alexandria continues to help with yearly Earth Day grants to our National Wildlife Federation Certified site.

Working the "Eager Eagles Ecology Club," Ms Hilari Hinnant, Ms. Karen Westcott, and Ms. Nellie Vega continue to maintain and expand the courtyard habitat. Future plans include two outside picnic tables, labeling of plants in Arabic and Spanish, painting an ecological mural, and growing more vegetables this spring. The John Adams' National Wildlife Federation Certified Schoolyard Habitat creates a safe and nurturing environment for the whole community.