Sippican School was a virtual zoo on the morning of June 5, with fourth-grade “animals” crawling all over the multi-purpose room while the other grades were treated to a virtual safari through the different habitats around the world.
Students greeted classmates and family members while dressed in costumes portraying an animal about which they had selected to learn, or as zoologists knowledgeable in the habitat they studied as part of a cross-curriculum project that encompasses science, technology, reading, and geography, among other subjects.
Fourth-grade teacher Nicole Radke said the students have been researching their selected animal for about five weeks, learning about characteristics, adaptations, habitat, and life cycle in preparation for the two-day Sippican zoo event.
“The kids did it all themselves, with support from their parents at home and it’s been great,” said Radke. “So they can feel proud that it’s their own work.”
Students did all their own online research, created poster boards, and wrote reports on all sorts of different species of insects, spiders, mammals, reptiles, marsupials, and more. Each student also gave a presentation on their animal in front of their class.
“They have been so dedicated and enthusiastic,” said Radke, “even though it was scheduled for the last part of the year.”
Lines of students from different grades snaked up and down the aisles, stopping along the way to engage and interact with one of the animals or zoologists. The students knew their stuff and answered questions while providing a myriad of facts about their chosen creatures.
There were big cats, snakes, a koala, a flamingo, a whale, and even an anteater. Just about every animal one could think of, and a few perhaps one has never heard of, were represented at the zoo.
“We couldn’t be more proud, honestly,” said Radke, speaking on behalf of Kim Souza, Courtney Sheehan, and Mary Jane Menezes, the other three fourth-grade teachers.
This was the second year the Sippican School hosted a fourth-grade zoo, and hopefully, today’s third-graders will get their turn to go wild next year.
By Jean Perry
