Learn more about the “Big Dig” and our new
garden on the Crowley ISD YouTube Channel.
REAL-World Learning Experiences
Students are digging the new outdoor learning space at Oakmont Elementary
Written by Megan Middleton
Learning is spilling into the great outdoors at Oakmont
Elementary School, thanks to the construction of a more
than 20,000-square foot outdoor classroom from REAL
School Gardens.
Oakmont is the first elementary in Crowley ISD
to partner with REAL School Gardens for an outdoor
learning space. Oakmont’s outdoor installation includes
an orchard with six different fruit trees, a pollinator
garden to attract butterflies and other insects, an herb
garden, raised garden beds with peppers, onions and
gourds as well as two outdoor classrooms with white
boards and special seating.
The area also features a tranquility corner with buddy
benches for students who need quiet time, an interactive
sundial, and a wildflower garden will be planted in the
fall.
Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and Sprouts, two
of REAL School Gardens’ major corporate sponsors,
brought more than 100 volunteers to help construct the
garden during the “Big Dig” day in April.
“We call this the ‘Big Dig’ day because it’s all about
celebrating and bringing the community together
with the school to install their classroom,” said Mary
Freeman, executive director for the Texas region for
REAL School Gardens, at the Big Dig event. “Your
students will be able to come out and really learn hands-
on, real-world complex science and math skills in this
wonderful outdoor space.”
In the last few weeks of school, teachers took advantage
of the new learning area.
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CROWLEY ISD CONNECTIONS | Summer 2018
“Teachers worked with students on lessons that
included insect life cycles, plant growth cycles,
measuring growth over time, using iPad technology to
photograph and write about beautiful aspects in the
garden, understanding garden needs and how to keep
our garden watered and healthy,” said Andrea Ayuso, a
bilingual pre-kindergarten teacher at Oakmont and the
garden coordinator.
Her bilingual pre-kindergarten students helped her
plant peppers and gourds that she hopes will be ready to
harvest at the end of summer.
Opportunities like the REAL School Garden at Oakmont Elementary
School are not made possible without the help of community
partners like Mercedes-Benz Financial Services.