ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE INSTRUCTION
The Mount Washington School (MWS) has continued to evolve over the past four years since being distinguished as a Maryland Green School in 2010. MWS has specific instruction of environmental issues which all classes incorporate into their curriculum. All students at The Mount Washington School participate in school-wide initiatives and are offered numerous opportunities to explore in greater depth environmental topics of personal interest. Field trips enhance the environmental objectives and give students a first hand experience with solutions to environmental problems. In addition, there is a "Green Culture" attitude among the students and teachers. The teachers are always presenting new environmental activities and practices and incorporate such activities into the lesson plans.
4th Grade
Fourth grade Scholars learned about:
- Importance of Water (11/15-12/2) - Scholars learned the vital role water plays in our world from regulating global temperature to supporting life itself. We reflect on how everything living has and uses water.
- Water Cycle (10/5-10/20) - Scholars review evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection. Scholars examine multiple ways each of these parts are achieved. Further study is given to man made ways of collection vs. natural.
- Erosion (10/20- 10-23) - Study is based on natural erosion process, and how humans impact it. We use our hillside erosion and rain garden as our example.
- Season Change (12/10-12/21) - Students learn about the Earth's tilt which causes seasons. A presentation on Solstice is given as a culminating review.
- Save the Bay with AquaPartners (9/20-End of Year) - Students learn about our Bay with AquaPartners. From the water-men, and aquatic life it supports, to effects of pollution and how to help. The lesson culminates with a field trip with AquaPartners.
5th Grade
Fifth grade Scholars learned about:
- Save the Bay with AquaPartners (9/20-End of Year) - Students learn about our Bay with AquaPartners. From the water-men, and aquatic life it supports, to effects of pollution and how to help. The lesson culminates with a field trip with AquaPartners.
- Trees (10/25-10/30 2018) - Scholars learn the value of trees sharing a symbiosis with animals (people). From the carbon dioxide, oxygen, and glucose which is directly linked. To the value of shade, resistance to wind and erosion. Students made tree decorations for the hallway.