At the Charles H. Bullock School, our community does not stop at having a "green building." Instead, we breathe the "green" concept everyday. Stewardship and service is something that is valued and practiced daily. We offer a comprehensive program, which includes inquiry-based, hands-on investigations of our local and global environments.
We are committed to growing responsible; Earth friendly citizens and we strive to provide our students with multiple learning opportunities that will increase their environmental awareness and action. Each grade level has a designated garden plot and their individual plantings are based on their changing thematic units of study (ex. butterfly garden, three sisters garden, root vegetables etc.). Herbs grown in our indoor Grow Lab are used to enhance our already flavorful cafeteria food. Additionally, all CHB students participate in service learning projects that are linked to our environmental sciences themes and community-based partnerships.
The following activities are only a sampling of what has been done in the past. Each year, based on the interests and ideas generated by the students, teachers revamp their environmental themes and service learning projects.
Class |
Environmental Science |
Service Learning |
K |
Grow pumpkins to be used for math, science and Writing Workshop
Plant flowers/vegetables for in depth seed/plant study. |
Walk to Pathmark to purchased food to bring up to Tony's kitchen. |
1 |
Study of trees/bees and their interdependence.
Maintaining a "pollinator garden" in the 1st grade garden spacer. |
MLK "Day On" (collected toiletries to distribute to lunch guests)
Became Arbor Day Organization members which enabled 100 trees to be planted in a National forest. |
2 |
Took part in a grain study: "Seed to Table" Growing/Harvesting Grains, as well as an Egg to Chick life cycle study.
Planted a grade Level garden. |
Grain Study culminates in a bakery. Money raised is donated to a charity of 2nd grades choice.
Plan, collect and deliver hats & gloves for those in need during winter months. |
3 |
Plants a 3rd grade "Three Sisters" garden (corn, squash, beans to tie into their Lenape study.
Monarch Study: grow milkweed in garden to feed caterpillars and then release monarchs into butterfly garden. |
Organized Scholastic Pajama drive to donate pajamas and reading books.
Designed, created and sold bookmarks to sell for a "cause" of their choice. |
4 |
Sandy Hook trip: marine & plant life, biotic vs. abiotic environment
Plant & soil science unit* weather mini-unit
Camping trip: immersion in deciduous, wooded environment & stream/lake study |
MLK Day: collected canned foods for Human Needs Pantry
Made rainbow loom bracelets for St. Joseph's Children's Hospital
Baked over 200 Snickerdoodle cookies for Tony's Kitchen for Thanksgiving |
5 |
Immersed in "Go Green" vocabulary and activities.
Pesto making (plant/harvest basil for fundraising efforts)
Invention Convention (using recycled material to develop and produce new inventions)e
Maintain 5th grade garden (grow superworms, the food source for Bingo, C.H.B.'s bearded dragon.
Assists with maintenance of C.H.B's fully functioning trout tank. |
Hunger Walk: Canned goods collection to benefit Tony's Kitchen.
Pennie for the Pantry (loose change for charity)
5th grade coat drive with NJCARES |