On December 15th, Kindergarten students made bird feeders to hang in the trees outside their classroom windows. This was an extension of the Kindergarten Science Unit about what animals need to live and grow. In the classroom they completed a journal entry to show what animals need. Observation of the bird feeders gave the students an opportunity to see the birds get what they need to survive.

First grade students went on a field trip to the Howard County Conservancy in Woodstock, MD. On this trip, they learned about nature by going on a hike. They also learned about wildlife by listening to a lecture about owls and saw an owl that the Conservancy rescued. Students walked around the grounds and found insects, leaves, bark, etc. to observe and look at through magnifying glasses.

All 69 second grade students participated in releasing Painted Lady Butterflies after making observations and learning about pollination in our science unit.

Third grade students planted green bean seeds and observed them through the growth process. We were very excited this year because we were able to grow large vines. Students were very excited to observe the life cycle of a seed they had planted. We continued to use our observation skills into the cold weather months.

Our school has water bottle filling stations at each water fountain. As part of a math lesson that was a review of subtraction with regrouping, 64 Fourth Grade students calculated the number of plastic water bottles saved during the month of November.

5th grade students utilized their knowledge of a geosphere and aspects of a geosphere to create a geosphere watershed model. This model was then used to show the interactions of Earth's systems and what humans can do to prevent pollution in our waterways.

Students learned about recycling and reusing. The students learned about the importance of recycling and its effects on the environment. This involved turning the housekeeping center into a recycling plant. The kids helped to make labels for a few boxes and covered the boxes with the recycling colors. The kids brought in different items to be recycled from their homes and learned how to sort the different items into boxes. They also learned about the different symbols on plastic products and sorted according to the numbers on the items. Students then learned about reusing things instead of throwing them away and made different instruments from recycled materials.

At a staff meeting on November 6, 2023, all staff was informed that we are reapplying for our Green School Certification. The Green School Committee reminded the staff that they will be asking for participation across grade levels. More information will be distributed during the course of the year. They were encouraged to contact any of the committee member if they have any questions.

In April 2024, Talbott Springs will be celebrating Earth Week with daily mini-lessons presented in each classroom Preschool-5th grade. Classes will be challenged to respond to daily questions about each topic. Participating classes will be entered into a raffle to win fun, earth-friendly prizes. Some of the prizes include nominating a teacher to dye their hair green, watering the garden for a week, and a party with food harvested from our garden.

Invite sent to staff:

On Monday, February 12th at 3:30pm, we will have an optional presentation put on by the Howard County Conservancy. It won't be longer than 45 minutes. If you would be willing to attend, please fill out the google form linked here.

Invite sent to staff:

On Monday, February 12th at 3:30pm, we will have an optional presentation put on by the Howard County Conservancy. It won't be longer than 45 minutes. If you would be willing to attend, please fill out the google form linked here.

Invite sent to staff:

On Monday, February 12th at 3:30pm, we will have an optional presentation put on by the Howard County Conservancy. It won't be longer than 45 minutes. If you would be willing to attend, please fill out the google form linked here.

Invite sent to staff:

On Monday, February 12th at 3:30pm, we will have an optional presentation put on by the Howard County Conservancy. It won't be longer than 45 minutes. If you would be willing to attend, please fill out the google form linked here.

Invite sent to staff:

On Monday, February 12th at 3:30pm, we will have an optional presentation put on by the Howard County Conservancy. It won't be longer than 45 minutes. If you would be willing to attend, please fill out the google form linked here.

Invite sent to staff:

On Monday, February 12th at 3:30pm, we will have an optional presentation put on by the Howard County Conservancy. It won't be longer than 45 minutes. If you would be willing to attend, please fill out the google form linked here.

Invite sent to staff:

On Monday, February 12th at 3:30pm, we will have an optional presentation put on by the Howard County Conservancy. It won't be longer than 45 minutes. If you would be willing to attend, please fill out the google form linked here.

Invite sent to staff:

On Monday, February 12th at 3:30pm, we will have an optional presentation put on by the Howard County Conservancy. It won't be longer than 45 minutes. If you would be willing to attend, please fill out the google form linked here.

Students use two installed rain barrels to water the school vegetable garden. They learn how the rain barrel collects water off the roof and how it helps us use less water from the school water sources.

In celebration of National Energy Conservation Day, students in 4th grade decorated signs to hang up in each classroom. The signs encourage everyone to turn off the lights when they leave the room.

Throughout the school, students collect paper waste. This paper is then collected in a large bin in the hallway. Next it is place in a large dumpster that is emptied weekly.

Every Friday, students collect food scraps from the school cafeteria and teacher's lounge and add them to our compost bin located in our vegetable garden area.

We installed and maintain a Monarch Butterfly Habitat. We also have native perennial plants in our garden that attract insects. Students observe evidence of Monarchs during the course of the summer. There is a direct connection for the 3rd graders who participate in a Monarch Butterfly unit.

Students use our Outdoor Classroom when participating in Science investigations. It is also used for other content areas. Students who need a break from their traditional learning classrooms also benefit from using this space.

Our Vegetable Garden provides opportunities for student participation. They help plant, maintain and harvest. Many of the primary students also use this space to build vocabulary by identifying colors, flowers, vegetables, etc. The produce from the garden is shared with school families and our local community.

All 3rd - 5th grade girls are invited to participate in Girls on the Run. There is a fall session and a spring session. The group meets twice a week to help students recognize their inner strength, increase their level of physical activity, imagine their possibilities, and confidently stand up for themselves and others.

Over the summer, produce from our Vegetable Garden is donated to an organization called Columbia Community Care. This is a local organization that distributes food to community members.

We have established a partnership with a Community Ecology Institute. This is a local organization that supports our Community Vegetable Garden. They have provided advice, garden planning, garden materials and volunteers to make sure our garden is successful.

Talbott Springs Elementary School opened a new building in 2022. TCA Architects designed it to be a LEED Silver building.