BlogsAcademicsPre-K to 8AdmissionPrimary Grades
Second Grade: Who Knows What a Scranimal Is?
May 9, 2013 2:48 PM
By DeLean Brandon - FF/S
Who knows what a scranimal is? It took two students from Mrs. Deaton’s and Mrs. Watkins’ second-grade classes to enlighten me.
Kate Scott and Slade Clevenger eagerly explained that they had been studying mammals and birds from Georgia. Kim Kilgore of the Arrowhead Environmental Center had recently visited their class and, after her visit, the students each researched both a bird and a mammal that are indigenous to Georgia. After their research and note taking, they prepared a rough draft of their report and then a final copy with a beautiful rendition of the bird and mammal they had studied.
Each one had been proudly displayed in the classroom. Slade had chosen the Bobcat and the Snipe, while Kate had selected the Black-Capped Chickadee and the Manatee. Kate showed me one of the sources she had used to research the Chickadee.
They then used their creativity to create a new species of animal that would be a combination of the two they had previously studied. Guess what that animal was called? Yes, you guessed it—a scranimal! Needless to say, the creations were amazing! Slade’s was called the Snipbob and Kate’s was named the Black Manachick.
The students combined the facts of the two animals they had studied to write an informative paper and do a drawing of their scranimal. After finishing, they created their own imaginative habitat and a 3D image of their scranimal in a shoebox. Some of these scranimals were made out of clay, Legos, paper and cardboard. Slade even replaced parts of a Bobcat figurine with parts of a Snipe to make a very realistic-looking Snipbob!
Each child presented his or her scranimal to the class. I was amazed by their creativity, writing, research and presentation stills. To culminate the project, the class was working on making a persuasive video to share with the other grades. The students wanted to encourage their friends from other classes to visit their scranimal zoo.
This is a perfect example of the sort of project-based learning that goes on in Darlington's classrooms each and every day! Students are always actively learning and applying what they've learned in different ways. It's truly amazing to see the passion that our teachers AND our students have for the lessons they are learning in class. I had so much fun in second grade that I found myself wanting to stay and learn more!
If you are interested in visiting second grade or any other grade level at Darlington, please contact me anytime. I'm always looking for a great excuse to get into the classroom!
Kate Scott and Slade Clevenger eagerly explained that they had been studying mammals and birds from Georgia. Kim Kilgore of the Arrowhead Environmental Center had recently visited their class and, after her visit, the students each researched both a bird and a mammal that are indigenous to Georgia. After their research and note taking, they prepared a rough draft of their report and then a final copy with a beautiful rendition of the bird and mammal they had studied.
Each one had been proudly displayed in the classroom. Slade had chosen the Bobcat and the Snipe, while Kate had selected the Black-Capped Chickadee and the Manatee. Kate showed me one of the sources she had used to research the Chickadee.
They then used their creativity to create a new species of animal that would be a combination of the two they had previously studied. Guess what that animal was called? Yes, you guessed it—a scranimal! Needless to say, the creations were amazing! Slade’s was called the Snipbob and Kate’s was named the Black Manachick.
The students combined the facts of the two animals they had studied to write an informative paper and do a drawing of their scranimal. After finishing, they created their own imaginative habitat and a 3D image of their scranimal in a shoebox. Some of these scranimals were made out of clay, Legos, paper and cardboard. Slade even replaced parts of a Bobcat figurine with parts of a Snipe to make a very realistic-looking Snipbob!
Each child presented his or her scranimal to the class. I was amazed by their creativity, writing, research and presentation stills. To culminate the project, the class was working on making a persuasive video to share with the other grades. The students wanted to encourage their friends from other classes to visit their scranimal zoo.
This is a perfect example of the sort of project-based learning that goes on in Darlington's classrooms each and every day! Students are always actively learning and applying what they've learned in different ways. It's truly amazing to see the passion that our teachers AND our students have for the lessons they are learning in class. I had so much fun in second grade that I found myself wanting to stay and learn more!
If you are interested in visiting second grade or any other grade level at Darlington, please contact me anytime. I'm always looking for a great excuse to get into the classroom!
