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.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.