March 24, 2014
By Tara Cavanaugh
An exciting project at Lakewood Elementary is bringing creativity and collaboration to a whole new level.
Last Friday students in Erin McKillen and Sharon Greiner’s third grades presented an interactive exhibit on animals and their habitats to other classes at Lakewood.
The third graders learned about adaptations and habitats with their teachers, and they also conducted research with media specialist Eileen Thomas. Then they used recycled materials to create replicas of the animals and their habitats during an art class field trip to The Scrap Box with art teacher Peggy Leonard.
The results of the month-long project were creative and inspiring. Mica’s brown bear had a habitat full of tissue paper leaves and yellow sponges for tree trunks. Lily’s jellyfish were made out of cupcake holders and curled ribbons.
“This is huge for the kids to share their work,” Leonard said. “It makes them proud.”
“Thanks to these teachers combining their expertise, you can see student learning come to life,” said Lakewood Principal Michael Johnson as he stood in the middle of the bustling cafeteria. Students were asking questions and studying the creative habitats as the third graders eagerly shared their expertise.
“This is how you get into that exceptional stratosphere: when the kids own their learning,” Principal Johnson continued. “They’re able to show what they’ve learned to other kids.”
Lizards YOU ROCK! I am so proud of each of you and enjoyed learning from your habitats. Keep up the AWESOME work.
When I say, “Lakewood.”
You say, “Rocks!”
“LAKEWOOD!”