Cheryl Phillips Discovery Habitat

at

Newton Rayzor Elementary School

1400 Malone Street, Denton, TX 76201   (940) 369-3700

 “Tell me and I will forget.  Show me and I will remember.  Involve me and I will understand."  Chinese proverb

In 2002 a teacher at Newton Rayzor Elementary in Denton received funding to rework the campus outdoor classroom and asked a Master Gardener parent at the school to help.  In the years since then, under the continuing guidance of Master Gardeners and in collaboration with many community groups [Keep Denton Beautiful, First Baptist Church, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Native Plant Society of Texas, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, PTA, Kroger’s, Sac –N- Save, Starbucks, numerous plant nurseries, school administrators, teachers, students and their parents], this three-sided courtyard nestled into the east side of the building has grown into a well established, well loved, and well used outdoor learning area.

Dedicated in May 2005 in memory of the beloved kindergarten teacher whose entomology studies inspired students, parents and fellow teachers alike, and named “The Cheryl Phillips Discovery Habitat” in her honor, this area is the first in the Denton ISD to be certified as a National Wildlife Federation Certified Schoolyard Habitat, and as a Texas Discovery Gardens Certified Butterfly Habitat.

The Discovery Habitat’s many features---an aquatic habitat with native plants and native fish, butterfly garden, herb garden, Texas natives bed, shade garden, dry stream bed and fossil garden featuring native rock with seabed fossils, weather station, composting area, grade level beds, shaded observation areas with seating, bird feeding stations, storage shed, an outdoor work table--provide a wealth of opportunities for hands-on activities that support curriculum.  Some examples:  classes from all grade levels participate yearly in a research study on monarch butterfly migration in collaboration with scientists at the University of Kansas.  Kindergarteners tend a pumpkin patch that provides real life observations correlating to a literacy and science unit on pumpkins. Classes take turns loading and monitoring compost tumblers as they learn about the carbon cycle and recycling.  Many students use science journals to practice literacy and math skills as they record day-to-day observations made over time in their outdoor classroom. 

New projects for the 2006-2007 school year include adding rainwater harvesting (in collaboration with the Boy Scouts), and adding cinderblock borders to class beds. Ongoing facets include expanding plantings and enhancing the instructional value of all components.