Washington Second Graders Fall for Animals – and Dinosaurs
Kids love animals and dinosaurs. That’s a fact. Second graders at Washington Primary School aren’t any different, so a recent unit proved especially enjoyable.The youngsters participated in a multi-disciplinary activity that included a concert, library research projects, classroom lessons and even an interactive dinosaur exhibit.
Music teacher Susan Hahn worked with second graders to put on a concert that was enthusiastically received in separate performances by the rest of the student body and parents. The concert included poetry that was turned into songs. Photos of animals decorated the walls, helping to create an appropriate environment.
Librarian Georganne White helped spur further interest by helping students select books about animals and dinosaurs and teaching them general research techniques. Teacher Patricia Maltempo’s students took the initiative one step further by developing projects on extinct animals and producing written reports and dioramas.
A science exhibit brought Huntington Director of Science Kenneth Graham, Washington Principal Marsha Neville, parents and other school dignitaries into Mrs. Maltempo’s room as students proudly presented and explained their work.
“Students worked in four cooperative groups (carnivores, herbivores, flying and swimming and plated, spiked and horned) to render a museum-like atmosphere complete with a flying pterodactyl,” Mrs. Maltempo said.
Students seemed to have an extra spring in their step and even more energy than usual as Washington’s students and dozens of parents toured the exhibit. “All the children worked very hard and produced very nice projects,” Mrs. Neville said.
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