Lakewood Outdoor Learning Area (LOLA)

 It’s more than just a nature area.
It’s an opportunity to explore, grow and feel connected to our world. 

 

ABOUT LOLA

 

LOLA is an outdoor environmental science classroom and nature area located behind the library. It encompasses a small riparian area that runs along McCommas Branch, a tributary leading to White Rock Lake. LOLA’s diverse ecosystems, including wetlands, bottomland forest, and prairie area, offer a unique learning environment.

  • Since 2001, LWE students have received hands-on science instruction in LOLA.
  • In 2022, we partnered with the Dallas Arboretum to create a custom, TEKS-aligned curriculum for each grade.
  • Education, maintenance, and other programming is graciously funded by the Lakewood PTA and LECPTA.
  • Improvements and new entrance to LOLA were provided by Dallas ISD.
  • Thank you to the North Texas Master Naturalist for their continued commitment to the upkeep and improvement of LOLA.

Learn more about LOLA's history here.

 

Questions? Email lola@lakewoodelementary.net

 

WELCOMING OUR NEW LOLA INSTRUCTOR

 

We are excited to welcome our new instructor Abby Garrett to our LOLA program; she brings a wonderful background in hands-on education, community engagement, and experiential learning. Her experience includes leading educational programs at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, facilitating student experiences with Junior Achievement’s JA BizTown and JA Finance Park, developing community programming at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, and supporting education at the Nashville Zoo. With experience teaching learners of all ages in gardens, museums, and interactive learning environments, she brings a passion for curiosity, exploration, and learning through experience. We are thrilled to have her join our learning community!

 

LOLA 101 EDUCATION CLASS

 

We’re excited to introduce new LOLA learning experiences that will get students outdoors, exploring, wondering, and discovering! We’ll kick things off with LOLA 101, an opportunity for students to explore the many outdoor learning spaces Lakewood has to offer and discover how these spaces will become extensions of their classrooms throughout the year. 

 

Students engage in hands-on science lessons at least four times a year. Two parent volunteers are invited to join and help their child's homeroom during their LOLA Education Class. Volunteers may help with set-up and clean-up, take photos, assist students with hands-on activities, and more.

 

We’re also thrilled to introduce Monarch Week! Each grade level will take a deeper dive into the incredible world of monarch butterflies, learning about their life cycle, remarkable migration, habitat, and importance to our ecosystem. Students will even have the opportunity to learn about monarch tagging and how scientists use tagging to study their extraordinary journey

 

Parent volunteer sign-ups will be released through classroom communications and/or The Stallion Standard. Volunteers must be VOLY-approved (learn more here). Parent volunteers must check in at the front office then meet Ms. Lisa Doliver in LOLA 5-10 minutes before their child's LOLA session begins.

 

LOLA AT RECESS

 

Stay tuned for more info!

 

LOLA NIGHT

 

Our annual event hosts many nature-related exhibitors from the Dallas area for an evening filled with fun and learning! It's one of our favorite events at Lakewood! 

 

Stay tuned for more info!