Second graders immersed themselves this last two weeks in
researching all about insects and animals.
They learned about life cycles and adaptations made by their animal/
insect to survive. They selected three interesting facts about
their animal and insect to share in their reports. They drew scientific labeled pictures to
identify body parts of their insect and their drawings of the animal included
it’s habitat.
Our studies on insects and animals concluded with a live
food chain lesson provided by the Outdoor Learning Center education staff. The entire grade level experienced a lesson
in the Christie Learning Commons that they will never forget. The sun transfers energy to the plants which
are producers and then the consumers take over the remainder of the food
chain. This is when the lesson really
grabbed the student’s attention. Live hissing
cockroaches were the first consumer introduced that feed on grass. They were followed by a toad that eats the
cockroaches and then a type of lizard that changes color who feasts on the
toad. Next to be introduced, in the same
live fashion, was the snake, who was afraid of the noise and tried to hide up
the sleeve of the presenter. The final
consumer in the food chain was a live baby alligator.
No animals were harmed during this lesson; however, it’s my opinion that the students will never forget what they learned and witnessed today at Christie Elementary School.
