Spring Saturday SAVY, Week 3, Animal Connections (1st-2nd)
Greetings! Saturday was such a dynamic day! We started with animals and their adaptations, and I was amazed at how many great examples the students were able to brainstorm! After a great discussion, we talked about invertebrates, and I loved hearing things like “I always wondered what that word meant!” and “How can things exist without spines?” The students were fully engaged when we learned about how intelligent octopi and cuttlefish are, and they loved learning about how cuttlefish can change their skin color almost instantly with their pigment proteins and how they can also change the texture of their skin to camouflage themselves and to hypnotize their prey! Of course, they learned about cephalopods and how members of that family can have three hearts, blue blood, and even donut-shaped brains! We even learned that octopi can hunt outside of the water, as well as the fact that a 600-pound octopus can fit through a hole the size of a quarter! Amazing!
We then researched animals the students were interested in learning more about. They used iPads to find animals’ adaptations and filled two whiteboards with interesting facts they learned along the way! They loved learning such unique things about animals! We also explored endangered and extinct animals and how humans have laws, conservation projects, and initiatives to help animals.
Finally, we examined how all of these are connected. During the previous session, students made cubes that they could roll with different topics about animals, and they had to roll and find how the words on the 4 different dice were connected. Some connections were tough, but they rose to the challenge! Most of them brought them home, so they can show you how that works. We then looked at how plants, animals, biomes/habitats, humans, and insects create a very delicate balance and how important it is to keep that balance. We looked at both the positive and negative impacts humans have on their world, and we explored things that we can do to help make a positive impact. We learned how humans can step up and help our environment and our animals, as well as how important it is to make a positive impact. We also discussed how zoos, reserves, rescue programs, and wildlife agencies can work to help educate and preserve animals. It was a great day!
I truly enjoyed this class of students immensely! They were inquisitive, respectful, and thoughtful, and they readily engaged in discussing and sharing information with each other. Thank you for allowing your child to share this great experience!
Dr. Mall