Students at Adrian Elementary School are provided instruction about the life cycle of insects and butterflies as well as information about seeds through traditional teaching methods, as part of normal curriculum. But a fun, instructional and interactive idea from music teacher Carol Spackey, has students truly engaged in these aspects of earth science in a hands-on way.
Three years ago, a butterfly garden was planted just off the driveway at Adrian, on the south side of the building, at the corner of an entrance walkway and the main sidewalk. This butterfly garden has become an instructional supplement and the fun, but meaningful responsibility of Mrs. Spackey and a handful of second graders. In working the garden, they are certainly learning about seeds, the responsibility of care and maintenance and are enjoying the butterflies’ visit once the flowers are in bloom. Originally developed to celebrate Earth Day, which takes place in April, students cultivated soil, and then planted perennials that were donated by Bremec’s Garden Center on Cedar Road. Some specimens include Joe Pie Weed (etrochium), Black-Eyed Susan (rudbeckia) and Blazing Star (liatris). Just this past year, students actually started lettuce plants from seed and kept them on the window sill in Mrs. Spackey’s room. Every day, they were to water the seedlings, and even write a musical accompaniment for each one. Then recently, the seedlings sprouted and were transferred into the butterfly garden.
Visitors to Adrian should certainly stop by and see the wonderful blooms, and variety that has been created with a little vision and the hard work of students and staff.