It’s good to see kids continuing their science learning in the summer … and actually getting engaged in it to the point where they like it.
Alachua’s outdoor classroom is a labor of love for fifth-grade paraprofessional John Goettel, known affectionately among students and staff as Mr. G.
The outdoor classroom began as a vegetable garden, but with the support of school staff and funding provided by the PTA and the Alachua County Public Schools Foundation, the outdoor classroom has now grown to include a greenhouse, a weather station, bird nesting boxes, a composting center and other features.
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“A textbook shows you pictures of how stuff grows, but it’s better when you can come out here and see it and take care of it,†fifth-grader Jacey Cottingham said.
Fellow classmate Marc Navarro echoed similar comments.
“I think I learn more things out here than staying inside and having Mr. G just tell us what happens,†he said.
