Third graders at Glen Head School recently studied Brazil in a social studies unit and combined their learning with aspects of its weather and climate as a part of their science unit.
“During our more focused study of the Amazon Rainforest, students learned about the importance of the rainforest – how it provides so many natural resources and medicines and how the trees there provide a large percentage of the world’s oxygen,” said teacher Jennine Bernesby.
Third-grade students expressed concern over the destruction of the rainforest and the animals whose habitats continue to be endangered when trees and vegetation are cut down.
During this in-depth interdisciplinary study, each child chose a rainforest animal – either a mammal, bird, insect, reptile, amphibian, or fish – and researched his or her specific creature by reading and taking notes. They also spent time in the computer lab to collect information.
Under the direction of their teachers, they then wrote individual nonfiction books based on the notes from their research. However, that is not all. The third graders also worked on individual projects at home. They included a diorama, poster, mobile, or model, for example, clay models of a snake and the Styrofoam or yarn model of a tarantula.
At the grade-wide Rainforest celebration, all of the student books and projects were on display for all of their peers, parents, and families to see.
“Each child proudly shared their knowledge of his or her animal while parents and relatives visited each of the third-grade classes,” Bernesby said. “Currently, the projects are on display in our third-grade hallway, so other children in the school can view their work. For our class, each child wrote a poem about their animal and illustrated it, as well as created group posters about Brazil’s culture.”
During the celebration, music titled, “Sounds of the Rainforest,” was played in all of the classrooms to authenticate the environment. Thank you to all of the third graders and their teachers including Milena Scalzo, Jovanna LeMonda, Cindy Ellenbogen, and Mrs. Bernesby as well as assistant teacher Caryn Horstmann for this interdisciplinary study and celebration on Brazil.
Submitted by the North Shore Central School District
