Upper Elementary & The Prairie

What is a Prairie and Why is it Important?

The 4th Years Working in the Prairie

Judy Hill, our resident Elementary Science Instructor, helped build our prairie in 2005.  The prairie was built to increase our student’s understanding of this special ecosystem. 

Working Together - Brady, Henry, Nico, & Isiah

Julia, Maya, & Makiah

A prairie is a unique and complex ecosystem that is made up of grasses and wildflowers with special roots systems, which allow them to survive during droughts.  Their root systems also help hold the soil in place, and allow for the absorption of water when precipitation does occur.  Prairies require little maintenance because they do not need fertilizers or pesticides.  They also provide a habitat for rare, native animal species like birds, insects, reptiles, along with other wildlife.  Unfortunately, most of the original prairies in the Michiana area have been lost to farming, continued urban sprawl, and drainage. 

Prairies provide us with multiple benefits:

•         They produce and continue to enrich some of the richest soils in the world
•          The soil grows healthy crops to feed animals
•          Their roots systems help stop wind and water erosion which helps to improve water quality and keeps topsoil in place.
•         Plants also act as a water filtration system by cleaning the water as it moves downward into underground aquifer. 

Reading Data With Cooper, Mason, and Griffin

Each of the Upper Elementary students were deeded a plot of Montessori Academy’s prairie.  Our prairie is located on the north end of our parking lot, near the gym entrance.  During the course of the school year, each Upper Elementary student will maintain and observe their plot of the prairie.