Well it is that time of year again! When the fourth graders of New Hampshire change the world by completing their Earth Stewardship Training! They have been through ten weeks of rigorous lessons about the connections of the natural world. Some were valiant, others not so much. In the end the SCAers determination and witty humor inspired the Next Generation of Earth Stewards.
Before the SCAers could start the graduation ceremonies the fourth graders had one more test to pass. The REVIEW of their training! Without knowing it the students passed the first test by showing excitement for the review, the SCAers were pleasantly surprised. And I think you will understand why. Who would not get excited about learning when it involves a beach ball!
Written all over this lovely beach ball are questions pertaining to the lessons the SCAers taught the students throughout their training. Some of the questions were:
- What is an example of a furbearer?
- What are the four Earth Spheres?
- What is a beaver’s shelter called?
- Act out the four components of a habitat?
- Is a worm a decomposer?
- Where is Randi (an SCAer) from?
Fourth graders have excellent memories. That last question was covered during the first week of training. We were surprised that most of the students remembered that Randi is from Los Angles, California.
Now that we got the torture out of the way the graduation ceremony can commence. The students were transformed from a fourth grader to an Earth Steward by being knighted with the Mircacone of Nature. As each student knelt as a fourth grader and arose as an Earth Steward they received their Earth Stewardship Journals, a Certificate of Completion and a Tree Cookie Badge.
Each week the SCAers asked a reflective question about each lesson we taught in the classes. The following week we would respond to their answers with fun little nature stamps. Since the Earth Stewards are keeping their journals the SCAers wrote a question for them to reflect on; What does it mean to you to be an Earth Steward? This will allow the Earth Stewards to answer a personal question they can keep to themselves or share with others. Or shout out to the entire class before we could get the explanation. So eggar!
Today was a day of celebration followed by tears. The excitement of the Earth Steward’s accomplishments was exploding off their faces! That excitement was equally shared with the feeling of sadness. Their completion of training marks the end of the SCAers journey at the school districts of Manchester, Hooksett, Allenstown and Deerfield. The SCAers were giving endless hugs from each students and a handful of thank you cards.
Thank You Earth Stewards for an amazing ten weeks! The SCAers were just starting to remember your names! Even thought the SCAers are done teaching in the schools, field trip season is right around the corner! We are never going to get rid of these fourth graders! The Interpretive Rangers of the SCA NH AmeriCorps program will take each class on a field trip through Bear Brook State Park. See you soon!
