A sizable accomplishment

Christine Carrillo

With their measuring tapes and rulers in hand, about 33 fifth-graders

from Newport Heights Elementary School in Newport Beach spent Friday

afternoon measuring trees at Heller Park in Costa Mesa.

Divided up in groups of two or three, they measured nearly every

tree in sight.

They measured the circumference of different tree trunks 4 1/2

feet up from the ground.

Then they measured, or more accurately estimated, the heights of

those same trees. Finally, they measured the spreads of the various

trees to decipher their crowns.

“We did a whole unit on trees,” said Carol Manola, the fifth-grade

teacher who started the field trip about 17 years ago. “What I’m

trying to do here is to build an awareness ... I’m trying to teach

kids that all living things are precious.”

With the sun shining high above their heads, a soft breeze blowing

through the air and thick green grass beneath their feet, these

students didn’t have much to complain about.

Incorporating everything they’ve learned in the classroom in

science and math with each of their tasks during the mini-field trip,

the students tested their knowledge in a new way.

“It’s been fun,” 11-year-old Amber Arendash said. “We get to hang

out with our friends and learn with our friends, too.”

Amber’s friend Hillary Phoenix agreed.

“At first, I thought it was going to be boring, but it’s not,”

11-year-old Hillary said. “It’s cool learning with your friends

because you don’t really get to do that.”

Working with their friends wasn’t the only unusual twist with this

lesson. The students also worked closely with their parents or their

friends’ parents. About 13 parents volunteered to help these young

scientists hone their skills and make their outdoor adventure a

learning success.

“You’re like a fisherman when you’re a teacher,” said Manola, who

is retiring from a 33-year career in education. “You put the bait out

there, but you never know who’s going to catch on. This is an

experience they’ll always remember.”

* IN THE CLASSROOM is a weekly feature in which Daily Pilot

education writer Christine Carrillo visits a campus in the

Newport-Mesa area and writes about her experience.