Old courtyard provides a nature-inspired education

When Erica Cooper was a library assistant at Alma Schrader Elementary School, she had a view of the courtyard outside.

"I'd stare out at it a lot," said Cooper, who now teaches fourth grade. "I just thought it would be neat to make it into something more. It always appeared to have so much potential, but was left untouched."

That potential has turned into an outdoor classroom aimed at teaching students about conservation, agriculture, composting and other things.

Pumpkins and tomatillo plants adorn the landscape.

The expanse also will feature a white board, convertible benches that can become desks and seats, 20,000 worms that will be used for composting and a mini-greenhouse so children can plant seeds and watch them grow. Every part of the courtyard will feature wildflowers and grasses native to each region of Missouri.

Cooper teamed with fellow teacher Lori Vines to apply for a grant from the Cape Girardeau Public Schools Foundation to transform the courtyard.

"We both have very large imaginations. That sometimes gets us into trouble. It's fun and it's definitely blossoming into something that will be beautiful once it's complete," Cooper said.

The foundation awarded Cooper and Vines a $1,950 grant, but they also received a total of $1,500 in grants from the Missouri Department of Conservation and another $1,500 from the PTO for the convertible benches. Alliance Bank has provided supplies, an outdoor cabinet and lunch and help on workdays.

Vines said the Conservation Department will provide a $1,000 Discover Nature Schools grant to go toward native plants and a nature facility. The school has to agree to teach Nature Unleashed for third- and fourth-grade students.

Cooper and Vines also received a one-time $500 Nature Unfolds grant for classroom materials. Students will receive science journals to write in.

Vines said the Conservation Department also will provide $7 a student to embark on a nature-related field trip, so kindergarten children will be able to go to Beggs Farm in Benton, Mo., Vines said.

Two Eagle Scouts who are former Alma Schrader students also are involved.

Nathan Lutes built the footbridge, and Zach Unnerstall will create a concrete patio mosaic -- made from recyclable materials -- in the shape of Missouri.

"That will be our recycle area. We'll have a rain barrel and a compost tumbler," Vines said, adding that the cafeteria will start saving fruits and vegetables for that purpose.

"So far, I've taken my class out for creative writing. A few teachers have taken classes out for quiet reading," Cooper said. "It lends itself to so much. The children are so excited about being in a different environment that they're motivated to participate and learn and engage in the lesson."

A work day is scheduled from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday. Cooper said students are invited to take part, and invitations are usually sent to coaches, parents and students who need volunteer hours.

Vines applauded those who have helped with the project, which has been ongoing for two years.

"It's been a blessing, all the grants and the time and energy the community has [put in] to help us," she said.

"Everyone comes in. We get students from the high school. Everyone goes to work for four or five hours. Everything out there is donated," Vines said. "We're hoping to have little fall festivals out there."

The teachers have received all the native wildflowers from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery in Jefferson City and have talked to it about getting monarch butterfly larvae for a spring release. "We're looking at having Missouri animals such as red-eared sliders [turtles] and different types of frogs," Vines said.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address: 1360 Randol Ave., Cape Girardea