Last week students looked at UES' first and second floor maps to navigate their way around the building. We discovered the routes we take to various places around the school - big gym, cafeteria, music room, etc. Throughout the week, we learned more about what maps help us do, about legends/keys, and landmarks on maps.
On Thursday morning, students walked up the hill on Hubbard St and got a birds eye view of UES from above the small playground. Students made maps of this view and identified various places in the community that they could see from above. We even spotted Harrison Forest - the backside. Students used maps to find a new route to Harrison that morning and were navigating their way around using just a map!
Once in Harrison, the focus changed a bit and students went back to a service learning project that began in Kindergarten. Last year, it was determined that the hillside was being ruined each time students tramped up the hill. Students thought that Harrison needed some trails that all children and visitors could use. On Thursday, this became the focus as children thought about the safest and least harmful way to get to the ridgeline. All students helped to create a path with switchbacks up to the top. Children moved leaves, debris, logs, etc to establish this 2 foot wide path. Once the trail was cleared, children used ribbon to mark it so others could easily follow the path. Mrs. Dostie's class tried out the trail we made and they found it easy to follow! YAAY!
Once in Harrison, the focus changed a bit and students went back to a service learning project that began in Kindergarten. Last year, it was determined that the hillside was being ruined each time students tramped up the hill. Students thought that Harrison needed some trails that all children and visitors could use. On Thursday, this became the focus as children thought about the safest and least harmful way to get to the ridgeline. All students helped to create a path with switchbacks up to the top. Children moved leaves, debris, logs, etc to establish this 2 foot wide path. Once the trail was cleared, children used ribbon to mark it so others could easily follow the path. Mrs. Dostie's class tried out the trail we made and they found it easy to follow! YAAY! 
