ibrown@themeridianstar.com
Fourth-graders at Poplar Springs Elementary School have a new appreciation for the state's tallest and strongest tree.
The longleaf pine was the subject of the Arts Integrated Mississippi Studies Unit presented by teaching artists Althea Jerome and Kathryn Lewis during two morning and afternoon sessions Thursday at the school. The program was funded through the Whole Schools Initiative.
The unit was developed in response to state and federal promotion of responsible stewardship of America's natural resources. Education remains an important part of that role.
The Longleaf Pine Unit was developed by teaching artists who not only value the importance of conservation, but also believe that the future of the environment is in the hands of young people.
"This is about this place called home," Lewis said. "This unit is presented in the hopes that all who learn about the longleaf pine will have greater appreciation for the tree, its natural beauty, and its significant contribution to the economy and the well-being of the communities of south Mississippi."
The goal of the unit is to educate local youth about the longleaf pine so that they may appreciate and value native trees and other living things in the environment.
"Because the pine tree is native to Mississippi, we use it for this unit," Lewis said. "And because the longleaf is the tallest, strongest and straightest tree, we use it as a symbol of Mississippians – because Mississippians stand tall and straight and are strong."
The teaching artists began their presentation with an opening exercise to stimulate the students' brains. Lewis read a story from the perspective of the tree, starting from when the tree was planted.
The students then assembled into two groups for the Readers Theatre, which incorporated drama, music and visual images to teach the history of the pine tree and how it is a Mississippi resource.
Next, students were shown visual images and discussed where the longleaf is located in Mississippi, parts of the tree and soil regeneration.
"The unit has lots of connections with the arts, science and social studies," said Clair Huff, LEAD teacher at Poplar Springs.
The session culminated with students assembling into three groups and visiting three stations. The first, students looked at and counted the rings of a tree; the second, students made impressions of the different parts of the tree, such as the bark and pine core; and third, students identified parts of the tree – above and below ground.
According to Huff, Lewis and Jerome not only presented the unit, but also modeled it for Poplar Springs teachers to incorporate into the school curriculum next year.
The Longleaf Pine Unit is one of 10 programs Lewis and Jerome present to schools throughout the state. Others include The Natchez Trace, The Mississippi River Flood of 1927 and Harlem Renaissance.
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Longleaf pine focus of Arts Integrated Studies Unit at Poplar Springs Elementary
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