South Clarkia (4th)

Clarkia pulchella - Also known as Pinkfairies, Ragged Robin, Deerhorn Clarkia, Beautiful Clarkia. Clarkia pulchella was found by Meriweather Lewis in what is now Idaho in 1806, and was first described by William Clark in May of that year. It was the first species described in the genus, which was later named for William Clark. It is found in 6 northwestern states, including Oregon.

 

The third and fourth grade classrooms and students at MRA are referred to as "The Clarkia."  Clarkia students spend much of their thematic time learning about Oregon's history, its climate and geology, and its native species.  A piece of Oregon's history shows how humans have tried to name, cultivate, and care for the land around them.  Lewis and Clark were two of the original European Americans to do this and played a large role in Oregon's future settlement.  We thought it would be fitting to name our classrooms and students after the plant which was, in turn, named after one of those adventurous explorers.  Over the course of two years, Clarkia students become map makers, historians, activists, engineers, geologists, conservationists, and climatologists, as they learn about Oregon through our central themes.