First grade students at the Primary Elementary School now know more about many of the animals we share our planet with.
During the month of March and into early April, all four first grade classes studied a specific habitat. Mrs. Beck’s class studied the ocean; Mrs. Bonomo’s class studied the desert; Mrs. Haggerty’s class studied the temperate forest; and Mrs. Hecklau’s class studied the rainforest. Students in each class then chose an animal to research that lives in the habitat they learned about. In addition to classroom time and collaborating with their parents, students worked on the cross-curricular project in Library, Art, Music and Coding class. 
In Library class with Mrs. Livermore, each student researched facts about their animal and its habitat. The facts were used to complete a graphic organizer. Ultimately, students used the graphic organizers to write a book.
In Art class with Mrs. Bevins, each first grade class created a mural of the habitat it studied. The murals included illustrations of the animals students researched.
In Music class with Mrs. Gutowski, all four first grade classes wrote two songs. Each animal featured in the songs had a different “beat.”
In Coding class with Ms. Reynolds, each student programmed their animal to move in its habitat using “Scratch Jr.,” a computer program that enables young children to create their own interactive stories and games.
In Science class with Mrs. Riggles, students studied constellations. Each student then made a constellation to look like their animal.
After the research phase and with the help of their parents, each student made a display about their animal and its habitat. Students made posters, dioramas, paintings and even animal figurines!
The displays were showcased by students at the “First Grade Animal Fair” in the Primary Elementary School cafeteria on April 9. There was a showing for second grade students during the school day and for family members later in the evening.
Students greatly enjoyed learning about their animals!