Imagine a 1950’s style, one-story school
placed in a small neighborhood in a small southern town. This IS
East End Elementary School. Pale green grass covers the campus. A
few plants are scattered throughout. I am sure that the school, at
one time, was beautiful in its prime, but it is almost as if time has forgotten
this wonderful school. Our class wanted to make the school look as
beautiful outside as it is inside. The courtyards were in desperate
need of help. The view was depressing. The courtyards were practically
empty. The best place to start the beautification process would be next
to the entrances and exits.
Faculty members of East End Elementary
wanted to see "outdoor learning environments." Why not make these
courtyards into outdoor classrooms?! Not only can the art teacher
use the classroom for inspiration for paintings, but other teachers can
incorporate their teaching lessons into these classrooms as well. I chose
three different themes to create three diverse learning environments.
The first courtyard next to the media
center is the "Science/Discovery Courtyard." This courtyard has five
parts: the Tropics, the Touch Garden, the Scent Garden, the Taste Garden,
and the Bird Garden. All of the plants used in the gardens are from
the Southeast.
The second courtyard is next
to the art room. This courtyard functions as a "Reading Courtyard."
This courtyard is almost like a small plaza. This courtyard contains many
"whimsical" benches in the circular area for reading. Trees are placed
at the back of the circle to buffer the noise that comes from the surrounding
portables.
The third courtyard is next to the
new addition. This courtyard is viewed most of all because of all
of the traffic from children going to and from the playground. This
courtyard is the "Butterfly Courtyard." This courtyard placed to
one side of the door to prevent those who are learning in the garden to
be distracted by those who are heading out to the playground. This
courtyard not only attracts butterflies but also hummingbirds.
The three courtyards at East
End Elementary are sustainable because of native plants that require little
to no maintenance. Plants such as Wright Viburnum, Butterfly Bush and Glossy
Abelia are used to create habitats for the native animals. Such native
animals include Carolina Wrens, rabbits and butterflies.
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