Ann Brown’s 3rd Grade Students Respond to the STRAW Restoration Project

(Manor School, Fairfax)

 

 

What did you enjoy most about the restoration day?

“Helping the earth and stopping erosion.”   “ Helping nature!”   “Helping the environment.”

“I saved worms that almost got hit by shovels.   I got dirty and I like getting dirty.  I picked up a newt.  My shoe fell in the mud.  It was funny.”  

“Pulling out non-native plants.”  “Being out in nature.”   “Digging holes.”

 

Do you think that what you did will make a difference?

Yes, I do.  I think the animals would thank us if they talked.’

“ I helped a lot of animals and insects – I feel really good about that.  I help fish, frogs, and lots of animals that live in water.”

“Yes.  It will help the animals that live in the creek.”

 

If you were to go back to your restoration project in five years, what do you think might be different about it?

“There would be less erosion and it would be prettier.”

“There will be more plants and the plants will be taller.  The water will be cleaner.”

It would look better than it is right now and the animals would love their habitat that they live on.”

“It would be really nice, and the plant I planted will be big.”

“Because so many people help I think it will not erode and the creek will be great.”

 

 

What did you learn about the restoration site before you went to it or while you were there?

“Erosion was starting to happen.”  “Stop mud from going in the creek.”

“I learned that nature is important and helps the animals.”

“S.T.R.A.W. stands for Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed.”

“I learned that some places do not look good because of littering.”

 

What did you learn about the plants that you planted?

“They help the environment.”   “That they stop erosion.”

“It’s hard planting them and to plant you have to dig two feet down.”

“I learned that willows can grow from a stick.”

“It helps bad things that could happen.”

“ I learned you have to dig deep in the ground to plant willows.  Willows grow fast.” 

“They make the creek fresh.”   “The roots would strengthen the hills.”

 

Did you learn about any of the animals at the restoration site?

“It will give them more places to live.”

“Well, the frog would be hurt because of the erosion.”

“I learned that I could help them to live longer.”

“Fish will like it if the creeks don’t have mud in them.”

“Yes, frogs, birds, worms, insects, newts, salamanders.  The animals will have a better habitat.”

 

Survey Questions - the Results

 

Strongly agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

No opinion

I like to learn about nature and the environment

 

Girls – 4

 

Boys - 6

 

 

3

 

5

 

 

 

Being in nature, doing outdoor  activities is fun

 

5

 

6

 

2

 

5

 

 

 

There are no environmentl problems where I live

 

 

2

 

 

3

 

6

4

 

 

1

 

1

1

We need more parks and Open Space

 

4

6

 

3

4

 

 

 

 

1

There’s not much I can do to help the environment

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

1

 

3

 

5

 

7

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Always do

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Not Sure

I pick up litter in my neighborhood

Girls - 2

Boys - 3

3

7

1

 

1

1

Watch my use of water

7

7

 

3

 

 

1

 

Visit local parks and natural areas

4

5

3

3

 

3

 

 

 

Learn about nature and the environment through books, TV or the internet

 

5

 

5

 

1

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

Reduce the amount of trash I throw away

 

6

5

 

1

5

 

 

 

1

 

Educate my friends and family about the environment

 

4

 

4

 

3

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

1

Help plant trees & flowers at my school, neighborhood or open space

 

3

 

5

 

4

 

5

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

Encourage my friends and family to help the environment

 

3

 

5

 

4

 

3

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

Help remove non-native plants

4

 

5

3

 

3

 

 

2

 

 

 

1

 

 

.   All – always or sometimes.

.  All – always

.  All – always or sometimes.

 bd