Artful Alabama: Field Studies in America's Amazon

Today, Naturalist Studies students learned about birds of prey from Curt Cearley of Rise Raptor Project. Maximus the owl was a great teacher creature. 

As part of a literacy-based project surrounding the longleaf ecosystem, students created a series of twelve "stained glass" windows for Ardmore's library media center from lamination film remnants, glue and paint. Each window tells part of a story about the longleaf ecosystem and students have designed wood burned panels to go along with each piece. Last year, Ardmore media specialist Ashley Daly wrote a grant to support our Naturalist Studies program with research materials and programming. With her help, students were able to travel to Monte Sano State Park to learn longleaf pine needle basketry from DeSoto State Park naturalist Brittney Hughes.  Next, students are reading the book "Longleaf" by Alabamian Roger Reid, and will enjoy a visit from the author this January.  This arts-integrated unit teaches students about Alabama’s longleaf ecosystem through literature, art, history and science while reintroducing traditional skills. The serie