Abingdon Outdoor Classroom

Abingdon Outdoor Classroom
Ms. Sywilok - anne_sywilok@apsva.us

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The Abingdon Outdoor Classroom has been an incredible teaching tool utilized and maintained by our Science Lab Teacher Anne Sywilok since 2004. Students in all grade levels utilize the garden as a part of their science instruction. The garden activities are also integrated into other subjects reinforcing socials studies, language arts, and math concepts. All of the activities conducted in the Outdoor Classroom are based on Standards of Learning for the state of Virginia.

Over the past few years Abingdon's garden has donated hundreds of pounds of produce to AFAC (Arlington Food Assistance Center) teaching the students the importance of helping others who are less fortunate. Last year our total of produce contributed to AFAC was 250 pounds.

The Fairlington Community Association is very supportive of the Outdoor Classroom and donated the funds needed to build the fence around the garden.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are also very supportive of our Outdoor Classroom and have helped us work in the garden. We appreciate all of their hard work and time they've given us working in the garden.

Our PTA also is a tremendous support as they participate in "weeding evenings" with their families to help maintain the garden over the summer. Parents are thrilled their children are getting the opportunity to learn about gardening, taste healthy foods they have helped to grow, learn about the interdependency of organisms in our ecosystem and the importance of conservation to help save the Earth.

This spring students will be given the opportunity to work in the garden after school under the supervision of Ms. Sywilok.

This year we will be starting a partnership with The USDA’s People’s Garden who will help support our efforts to educate students about healthy eating choices and join us in the physical labor involved in maintaining all of our raised beds.

Please come by and see our students actively engaged in true "hands-on" science as they learn while having fun in the Abingdon Outdoor Classroom.

Last Modified on January 27, 2012