Enrichment and the Environment

October is here, which means it is time for the 2018 Texas Pollinator Bioblitz! We participate as "citizen scientists" in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department project that aligns with the migration of monarchs through Texas.  Citizen scientists are "normal people" who contribute to the work of "professional" scientists through collecting and sharing data. Over the past couple of weeks I was able to get Round Rock ISD to approve " SEEK ," a family-friendly, "no-login required" app that helps people identify the plants and animals they see in the world around them.  We are using that app all over campus to help us learn more, and contribute to broader scientific objectives.  Engagement is easy when it is authentic and student-interest based ; empowerment comes when students begin analyzing their collections and asking questions about their role in and impact on the ecosystem that surrounds us. To learn more about the Texas Pol

Hi all, With our new spaces open and in (heavy!) use, we have a wonderful and wild year ahead of us.  Check out my latest "Wild in a Minute" video about the Excellence Fund and contact me with any questions you might have. As always, thanks for your support for our work here at Laurel Mountain, and a special thanks for contributing to the Excellence Fund! Best, Trevor

Link to SUNDAY SCHOOL  Fishing Data Collection Link to THIRD Grade  Fishing Data Collection Link to FOURTH Grade  Fishing Data Collection Link to FIFTH Grade Fishing Data Collection

One hour at LME... WONDERful

Howdy LME! We're off and running with our G4/G5 clusters and I wanted to get a quick update to everyone as students move forward. Cluster experiences provide challenging, real-world learning for all students, organized around major disciplines, interdisciplinary themes, or cross-disciplinary topics.  Clusters are developed based on student-interest survey responses and during the first meeting, the adult-leader of the cluster shifts to a "facilitator" role, giving students the reins to design the course of study/action the cluster pursues on their way to a "showcase," which will be held on December 8th. The Showcase consists of student-developed products, performances, or the delivery of a service designed for an authentic audience and/or provides a solution to a real/authentic issue. Please enjoy the summaries for the first week of clusters and let me know if you have questions! The Global Games Today we visited ancient Egypt! We started by discover

"In Wildness lies the preservation of the world..." ~ Thoreau Hi all, It has been a great start to the school year and we are thrilled with the progress of Laurel Mountain Elementary's bold step forward as "A School of Enrichment and the Environment," (aka - "E2"). E2 and You:   Talk and Walk Thanks to so many of you who have joined me on an E2 and You "talk and walk" session to tour our new spaces and learn more about how we seamlessly connect "the Environment" with our success using the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (over 100 people!).  If you've not signed up for an E2 and You session, there is still time -- I'll host one more sessions this week: Friday 9/22/2017 - 8 a.m. Please RSVP here to help us plan appropriately. Join other parents and see how our outdoor spaces shape academic achievement and human development... And how students will learn math, force, and metamorphosis... through the eye