The project described in this narrative culminates two years of planning, development, and construction of an outdoor habitat entitle "The Celebrate and Respect Life Garden Project" (C.A.R.L. Project). The C.A.R.L. Project has a butterfly garden/bird habitat, composting efforts, and a greenhouse with plant cultivation. The C.A.R.L. Project goals are providing a habitat for butterflies, birds, and small animals; creating hands-on experiences for the students; providing an opportunity for critical thinking and problem solving; creating an outdoor classroom involving cooperative interaction; fostering a sense of community within the school; and developing a positive relationship between the school and the surrounding community.

Students were involved in the development, construction, and maintenance phases of the C.A.R.L. Project. In the planning phase, students in grades K-3 were involved in the making of bird feeders, designing posters for advertisements, researching birds and butterflies of our region, and assisting in the planting process. Students in grades 4-5 completed a site inventory of plants and animals, researched Pennsylvania native plants as food sources for desired birds and butterflies, constructed a weather station, released classroom butterflies into the garden, and assisted in the planting of trees and flowers. Upper grade students mapped the site, completed soil testing, dug the site, completed a database of project costs, and designed projects for the site (birdhouses, benches, signs, etc.). To make sure that all students had some ownership of the project, each grade level was required to contribute a specific component during each phase of this project.

The C.A.R.L. Project is integrated throughout the entire curriculum. Although the Project is science based, other content areas have been incorporated as follows: Language Arts — research skills, oral and written communication, exposure to environmental literary works; Social Studies — working cooperatively with others, community resources, political process; Mathematics — geometry, estimation, currency, interpretation of graphs and charts; Art — advertisements and illustrations, drawing maps; Music — write and direct an original musical using the garden as a theme; Vocational Education — construction principals and application; Technology — computer and calculator usage, usage of a database, principles of photography and film; Science — knowledge of concepts and principles of physical, chemical, biological, and ecological systems. The faculty also developed specific lesson plans to be used on all grade levels in all subject areas.

During each school year, each class is assigned a designated aspect of maintaining and monitoring the butterfly garden site. This may include, but is not limited to, planting, weeding, watering, and the turning of the compost bin. During the summer months, student, teacher, and parent volunteers sign up for maintaining the site at one-week intervals. They are responsible for weeding, watering, and other general maintenance.

School-wide prayer services, activities, and receptions are conducted in the garden. The children from the after school care program can often be seen making use of this site. The school community, along with the surrounding community at large, can make use of the completed butterfly garden and bird sanctuary.

This Project provides a natural habitat for wildlife while making the school grounds more beautiful. It provides an opportunity for teachers to develop stimulating, meaningful, real-life learning opportunities for the students. The Project offers the students a life-long appreciation of nature and sensitivity to preserving the environment. Students learn how to farm in an environmentally safe way. Students feel a sense of accomplishment along with improving the community residents’ perceptions of young people and strengthening their ties to the school. In the future, the project will promote a respect for life, encourage preservation of the environment, and develop cooperative attitudes necessary for a successful community.

We are extremely proud of the work that went into developing the initial phase of our Project.