Theme School Features Trees.This autumn children at a rural school in northeastern Alabama will learn the value of trees and forests from an unlikely source--the school's design. Students at Munford Elementary School elementary school: see school. , nestled in Talladega National Forest Central Alabama's Talladega National Forest covers 375,000 acres (1520 km²) at the southern edge of the Appalachians. Before it was bought by the federal government in the 1930s, the area that comprises the Talladega was extensively logged and represented some of the , will begin the 2000-2001 school year in a building with walls reminiscent of forest, water, sky, and sun; columns painted to resemble tree trunks; and a cave-like hallway with a lamp the shape of a lightning bolt Lightning bolt may refer to
We will use the environment to teach "reading, writing, math, science, [and] social sciences, rather than teaching the environment as a small part of the curriculum," Mills said. "Teaching students the truth about the proper balance of the environment and the use of natural resources will create informed, caring citizens as they grow into adulthood." More than 780 students attend kindergarten through sixth grade at Munford, which lies at the foot of Cheaha Mountain Cheaha Mountain, often called Mount Cheaha, is the highest point in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is located a few miles northeast of Talladega in scenic Cheaha State Park, which contains a lodge, restaurant, and other amenities. , Alabama's highest point. The school's four wings will feature themes such as "the enchanted forest In literature, an enchanted forest is a forest under, or containing, enchantments. Such forests are described in the oldest folklore from regions where forests are common, and occur throughout the centuries to modern works of fantasy. " and "where the wild things are." Highlights include a 64-foot photo mural of trees, mountains, and waterfalls near the cafeteria and a common area with silk trees of local varieties. "Natural resources and the national forest play a big part in this part of Alabama," said Tony Tooke, Talladega National Forest district ranger. "... We hope [the school] will be a model for some other schools across the country." School officials are collaborating with other federal, state, and local agencies, environmental groups, industry officials, and parents to fund and plan the project, Mills said. Supporters also will help design lessons plans about water quality, forest products and management, recycling, and other subjects. "We hope to help students understand the value of the forest as a natural resource--that natural resources, our health, and environmental health are interrelated in·ter·re·late tr. & intr.v. in·ter·re·lat·ed, in·ter·re·lat·ing, in·ter·re·lates To place in or come into mutual relationship. in ," Mills said. |
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