Welcome to our New Butterfly Garden!

     

    Laytonsville Elementary now has a beautiful Butterfly Garden courtesy of our Fourth Graders, Goshen Enterprises Landscaping, and Stadler’s Nursery! The garden is nestled a corner outside our cafeteria doors and will serve as a refuge for butterflies as well as provide a welcoming entrance to our school. The creation of the garden aligns with our work to ensure that all our students are college and career ready. Throughout their work on this project, students demonstrated the three MCPS Core Competencies: Academic Excellence, Critical and Creative Thinking, and Social Emotional Learning.  

     

    Students analyzed information regarding the garden’s purpose, vegetation characteristics and planting criteria and used their analysis to make decisions regarding the garden's layout. Participation in this engaging project also allowed students to develop and apply their collaboration skills. Mr. Bohrer, Laytonsville parent and owner of Goshen Enterprises was the co-lead on this project along with our fourth grade teacher; Mrs. Tania Dynda. Mr. Bohrer discussed and modeled the importance of effective collaboration, communication, and customer service throughout his work with our students. 

     
    Academics were authentically integrated as students applied their math, reading, and writing skills in the creation of the blueprints and the actual planting. They are currently working on creating authentic written products to mirror what Mr. Bohrer produces in his work. For example, customer proposals and invoices will need to be created. A brochure/website will need to be designed to advertise Mr. Bohrer’s company. Payroll will need to be completed to compensate his work crew. These types of integrated work-tasks mirror the application of authentic academic skills in the "real world" setting.

     
    Thank you to the following people for helping us with our butterfly garden and for supporting our work to create and sustain an authentic and engaging learning environment for all! Without their work, our vision would not become a reality!

    • Mr. Kevin Bohrer of Goshen Enterprises for providing landscaping expertise, equipment, and labor. Mr. Bohrer also provided an instructional element. He shared his knowledge of design and business operations with our students in an engaging hands-on presentation; allowing students to participate in the planning and planting. 
    • Dave and Lisa Stadler of Stadler’s Nursery for their generous donations of all the plants used to create the garden. 
    • Mrs. Tania Dynda, fourth grade teacher, for planning and facilitating the garden project. 
    • Our enthusiastic fourth grade landscapers for applying their academic skills, persistence, attention to task, and teamwork to ensure the delivery of an excellent product to our school community. 

    Additionally, the 5th Grade class will donate a feature for the garden as their gift to the school.

     

     


     

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