More than 60 animals in various habitats were on
display at Gossler Park Elementary School this week. The Gator Zoo – named for
Gossler Park’s mascot – included exhibits, a kids’ activity area, a snack shack
and a gift shop, just like any other zoo.
The biggest difference, besides the fact that no live animals were
involved, is that the Gator Zoo was entirely created, designed, researched and
managed by eight- and nine-years-olds as part of an innovative learning
project.
The third grade teachers at Gossler Park
collaborated on the zoo idea with the goal of engaging their students and
making research more fun.
“Most children learn informational writing in the traditional
ways – they read a book about a topic, identify the relevant text, and
paraphrase the ideas in a report,” said teacher Linda Whitmore. “Our students
took ownership of this project from the beginning and got excited about showing
off what they learned.”
To get started, each of the students in the three
classes chose an animal to study. They researched those animals and together
planned the ways they would present the information as a virtual zoo. Students created
individual exhibits, made up of handmade habitats and models of their animals,
fact sheets and posters, maps of where the animals live, vocabulary booklets,
and Chromebooks set up for online viewing of animal photos and videos.
The third graders formed committees for the zoo. Assignments
included tasks such as creating signs and admission tickets, deciding which
items to sell, setting prices, scheduling zoo hours, filming a tour video, and
writing invitations to special guests.
“Creating the Gator Zoo took teamwork, time
management and some problem solving,” said teacher Margaret O’Leary. “Those are
skills the children would not have gained doing a traditional research report.”
Indeed, when the students described the process and
their roles in designing the Gator Zoo, they talked about the things they
learned about the animals, as well as themselves.
“I didn’t think I could fill a whole tri-fold poster
with words,” said Joey. “But the committee helped me.”
Parental involvement in the take-home portions of
the assignment was another positive outcome of the project.
“I didn’t know how to make a 3D giraffe,” said
Mariah. “Then my mom helped me, and we did it!”
After weeks of zoo committee meetings, planning and putting
finishing touches on every detail, the Gator Zoo opened to visitors for one
day. Gossler Park students, along with parents and other invited guests toured
the exhibits. The third grade “zoo
keepers” manned their animal habitats and offered information about the animals
as only expert guides could.
Among the zoo visitors were Mayor Ted Gatsas, board
of school committee members John Avard, Katie Desrochers and Connie Van Houten,
and superintendent Debra Livingston.
“Many of our schools are focusing on project-based
learning, which puts students in the driver’s seat,” said Dr. Avard. “The Gator
Zoo is a wonderful example of how it works and the pride students have in
achieving their learning goals. The students even taught me some things about
animals I didn’t know before!”
Money from the sale of Gator Zoo snacks and
souvenirs will go to Squam Lakes Natural Science Center’s Sponsor a Species
program, chosen by majority vote of the three classes. Donations
to the program help to provide food, health care, and housing for animals at
the center. It’s an especially appropriate charity recipient because the Gossler
Park School third grade classes will take a field trip there this spring.
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