Gamble Rogers State ParkService Learning Project The classes of Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Sanson, and Mrs. Stanley are pleased to announce that our classes have been chosen to be a part of a Flagler County Service Learning Project. We are sure you are asking, “What is Service Learning?” Service Learning is a structured way to connect classroom content, scientific research and literature while meeting a community need and enhancing the inherent caring and concern young children have for their world. Our Service Learning Project at Gamble Rogers State Park will broaden student knowledge and understanding through a service to others that benefits the community by cultivating an awareness of specific ecosystems and appreciation for their environment. The experience will offer memorable, lifelong lessons for students and foster a stronger society for all to enjoy. The funding is provided through a Florida Learn and Serve Grant. These funds have been provided to establish 11 Service Learning Projects throughout schools in Flagler County. Our emphasis is on environmental science concepts using a hands-on approach through experience, participation and recognition at Gamble Rogers State Park. The community service we will provide is in developing teaching materials for other classes to use (at a kid to kid level) and hopefully encourage interest in others to visit the park. Our three classes will go to the State Park every other Thursday beginning October 11th. The students will research and study coastal, salt-water marsh, scrub and maritime hammock ecosystems, as well as plants, animals and their habitats. Students will rotate to three different 30 minute eco-locations completing a learning activity at each during their field experience. Our full-time teaching and monitoring staff will include: Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Sanson, Mrs. Stanley, Flagler County School District Service Learning Coordinator Francis Royals, Gamble Rogers Park Rangers Mike Simmons and Barbara Roberts, Florida Game and Wildlife Conservation Commission Officer Scott Dack, a biologist and retired teacher Bob Mish, as well as members of the Flagler Beach Environmental Preservation Council. After our science investigations in the park, our classes will collaborate to create an “Environmental Field Trip in a Box” science kit for other second grade classes to use to strengthen grade level mastery of the Sunshine State Standards. Each class will uniquely design one of three different projects that integrate science and the language arts to be included in the science kits. One class will computer generate a “walking tour of the eco-locations.” Another class will craft a “mask” that creatively individualizes artistic displays of information about endangered plants and animals within the environment. The third class will create an informational book on the species and ecosystems of the parks with reproducible activities that will reinforce reading comprehension. All students will maintain written reflection journals of their findings and produce computer Pod Casts of their science findings. Some basic rules students are required to follow:• The students will not be allowed in the water. • Students must use polite respectful behavior during the day.• Students must remain on the trails with supervising adults at all times.• Sneakers and socks must be worn. There will be a lot of walking and standing. Your child may want to wear old shoes to the park and bring an extra pair of shoes to change into at school, as it is possible their shoes may get muddy. • Be sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather and may wish to use sunscreen before coming to school on sunny days. • Mosquitoes, gnats and other flying insects rarely pose a problem, however, application of repellant is encouraged before they come to school. Tentative Schedule (depart WES 9:30 am---return to school by 1:00 p.m.) October 11 & 25, 2007 November 8 & 29, 2007December 13, 2007January 17 & 31, 2008February 14 & 28, 2008March 13 & 27, 2008April 17, 2008May 1 & 15, 2008 We appreciate the many parents that have volunteered to chaperone trips. However, at this time we have all the field stations attended to. If you are interested in attending at a future date, please make sure that you are on the cleared volunteer list and send a list of preferred dates to your child’s teacher so that your name can be put on our list. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns that you may have. We hope you are as excited as we are about this tremendous learning opportunity for your child.Mrs. Gray Mrs. Sanson Mrs. Stanley
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