The Pointer Ridge Elementary courtyard offers many opportunities for students to view nature on a daily basis. The pond is home to fish and frogs, as well as several types of aquatic plants and flowers. There are many varieties of annuals and perennials in sight; the ‘butterfly bush’ is especially attractive to many species of butterflies and bees. The squirrel can often be seen snacking in the dogwood trees. A friendly snake has been observed, as well as the large golden garden spider—an extremely popular sight as the children went by in the hallway with a perfect view of her resting in the middle of a sparkling web. Birds visit regularly and are encouraged to ‘stay a while’ in the birdhouses present. Nature experiments are conducted here and observations are made of the plants and animals by the classes for science.