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What is it and why should I use it?The Schoolyard report card is a resource from
the Chesapeake Bay Foundation that is used to evaluate how “Green” your school is.
Fits in to the green school application under education of environmental issues
and it also helps identify which BMPs (best management practices) your school needs to work on
What will I need?Image or Map of your school yard
I recommend Google Maps because It’s quick, easy, and everyone has access to it
Copies of the schoolyard report card for students
Clipboards optional (will make it easier to record observations when outside)
Calculators optional (will help calculate scores for younger students)
What does it evaluate?
Identify runoff/erosion issues around your schoolEvaluate transportation methods to and from your schoolEvaluate the quality of vegetation around your schoolDiscover biodiversity by evaluating the vegetation and habitat around your schoolAppraise the level of environmental awareness at your school
What does it all mean?
Each category is totaled to give you a numerical picture of how green your school is This is a great jumping off point to target key areas of concernProvides suggestions to improve your score for each area
Great to help you plan which projects you may want to do at your school
Project ideas for low scoresRunoff
Plant a rain garden Install a rain garden
TransportationInstall bike racksLetter writing to county for bike lanes
VegetationPlant a wildlife gardenStart a micro-nursery for tree plantings
BiodiversityPlant native speciesRestore habitat
AwarenessRead about or study the bay
Go on a bay fieldtrip
How is it relevant to what I’m doing?
The report card helps students link what happens locally at their school to what happens in the Chesapeake Bay
For example: excess runoff at your school can have an effect on water clarity, nitrogen/phosphorus levels, dissolved oxygen levels, underwater grasses, and the oyster population in the Chesapeake Bay
How can I use this in the classroom?There are many ways to adapt this activity to use in your school or classroom. Here are a few ideas….
Have each class complete the entire report card Have GT students or the Environmental club complete the report card Have each class or grade level focus on one section of the report card and then compile results as a grade/schoolHave students split into groups and only focus on one section of the report card and then compile results
Then what?
Once the initial evaluation is done…
It can be done again in the middle of your green school process to assess your progress and identify areas still of concern
It can be done a third time at the end of your projects to see how much your school has improved
Need help?
If you would like help planning how or when to do this activity at your school, I am here to help!
Anne [email protected] ext. 109
