Glen Cove Students Become One With Nature

Kindergartners in Irene Kamola’s class at Gribbin School received an up-close look at goldenrod plants during a cross-curricular classroom lesson that focused on writing, reading, science and vocabulary.

During the lesson, students had an opportunity to touch, feel and smell the plant and were excited to use magnifying glasses to take a closer look.

“I brought the goldenrods in to inspire, enhance and support our kindergartners’ vocabulary and writing skills,” Miss Kamola said. “I believe that merging science and English language arts is a wonderful way to connect the curriculum.”

Students also learned a poem about goldenrods, drew pictures of the plant using crayons, measured the leaves, made connections between the color and shape of the plant using printed materials in the classroom, and discussed their observations.

Miss Kamola plans to bring nature into her classroom lessons throughout the year, utilizing the knowledge she gained by participating in the Greentree Foundation Teachers’ Ecology workshop during the summer. The course focused on the ecology of Long Island and emphasized getting students outside as much as possible, and if not possible, to bring nature indoors for students to explore. Miss Kamola will also attend field trips with the foundation throughout the year to expand her knowledge.

Story by Syntax, Photos courtesy of the Glen Cove City School District:

1. Gribbin kindergartner Emily Lebowitz smelled the goldenrod plant during the class lesson.
2. Gribbin kindergartners (l-r): Esteban Flores, Brianna Pietri and Isidora Doeschner compared the leaves they brought from home with their teacher Miss Irena Kamola.
3. Teaching assistant Mrs. Patricia Burns showed a goldenrod to student Esteban Flores.
4. Kindergartner Isidora Doeschner used a magnifying glass to examine a goldenrod spray.
5. Pictured (l-r): Molly O'Connor, Brianna Pietri and Samiya Spells had fun examining the plant as their classmates looked on.