Berkeley Teacher Brings Blue Watershed Classrooms Program to Her Classroom 

What are some highlights or things that stand out from your KftB program experience?

I loved how easy it is to follow and modify KIDS for the BAY lesson plans, slide shows and visuals for my TK students! I also appreciated the support that KftB Educator Javi Quezada provided by responding to my questions in a timely manner via email or phone call. 

What practices, behavior changes or activities have you implemented in your classroom as a result of your participation in KIDS for the BAY/Blue Watershed Classrooms? 

I have been striving to build a Zero-Waste Classroom before I joined KIDS for the BAY’s Blue Watershed Classrooms program. BWC helped me expand on my ideas and integrate KftB lessons and objectives into what we were already doing. I also liked how the KIDS for the BAY lessons helped expand my students’ vocabulary with scientific concepts like watershed, pollution, chemicals, etc. 

Can you tell me more about the mural of Blackberry Creek in your classroom? 

We are fortunate to have Blackberry Creek right next to our school, so I took my class there twice a week (Mossy Mondays and Watershed Wednesdays!) to give my students hands-on experiences with the creek.  We learned about the native flora and fauna, and recreated them with a large mural. The children learned the botanical names of the local plants as well as the insects and small animals that require a healthy, clean creek to survive and thrive!

The project inspired me to reach out to my classroom parents who work in the environmental field, and some came to our class to speak about their careers. For example, we had a parent working on a watershed project in the Klamath River who came and talked to us about her work. She applauded my class for being so passionate and interested about our local watershed and their participation in keeping it healthy and clean. 

Can you tell me more about the educational posters and tri-fold boards about plastic trash pollution that you have made with your class? 

Since our experience with KIDS of the BAY was so impactful, I wanted to make these unique educational experiences visible to parents and colleagues, so I created tri-fold boards to document my students’ learning with photos, quotes, and realia from the lessons. It was also impactful for my students to see and validate all that they have learned. The tri-fold boards were displayed in our classroom as we learned more about the watershed. They were also featured at our school’s Science Fair and Open House events. My students were so excited to explain what they had learned to their families and visitors by showing them the posters, and they became Environmental Leaders in their school community.

Why do you feel it is important for students to have opportunities to connect with nature and  learn-hands on science in the outdoors?

In order to pitch the importance of keeping our environment clean and to make better choices around consumerism, I feel it’s important that students develop a love for the product first, meaning the creeks, plants, and natural spaces that provide solace and beauty in our lives. Giving opportunities for children to play, explore, and make deep connections with nature is an effective way to get them to take action for a clean natural environment. The kids will remember going to the creek, hiking the trails, and watching the water striders, and hopefully these memories will inspire them to make better personal, professional and political choices that prioritize supporting and maintaining our natural spaces. 

Have you observed behavior changes in your students/school community following the program?

I often encounter previous students that participated in the watershed study with me last year and they tell me they loved it when we visited the creek. They also reflect positively on our Trashy Tuesdays in which I took my class out each Tuesday to pick up trash around the school site. My students deeply understand that trash and other pollutants directly affect the health of our local watershed, including our own Blackberry Creek next to our school!

Are there any final thoughts you would like to share?

It is imperative for teachers to make time to integrate environmental education programs in the classroom as the world continues its trajectory to irreversible climate change. My hope is that this new generation of young students will find innovative ways to stop climate change by giving them opportunities to connect with nature in meaningful ways.

KIDS for the BAY would like to thank Hazelle for her continued commitment to inspiring watershed stewardship in her classroom!