Maple Room Zoo
The Maple Room students learned about four different habitats: the desert, ocean, forest, and arctic. Beginning in November, students explored the different plants and animals that live in each habitat and learned about the various adaptations that help these plants and animals survive there. Using what they learned about habitats, plants, animals, and adaptations, Maple Room students created their very own fictional animals! They started by picking a habitat that their animal would live in. Students then described the animal’s physical characteristics, listed its predators, and wrote what plants and/or animals it liked to eat. Based on the habitat of their choice, students brainstormed three different adaptations their animal would use as modes of survival. The process of planning, inventing, and designing these fictional animals took about one month.
As the students were finishing writing about and creating these animals, they then brought them to life in Art class! Starting with building their animal based on the different physical characteristics, size, and overall shape, students began using different recyclable objects and clay. A week later, the class covered their animals in Paper Mache and finished the structural element. Students then used paints, beads, feathers, pom-poms, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, and other decorations to add color, eyes, mouths, tongues, tails, and other details to their animals. Using a display of their choice with words and pictures, the second graders explained their animal, where it lives, fun facts, and the different adaptations it has in order to survive in their habitat.
In February, the class turned the Maple Room into a zoo! Aaron School staff and students were invited to come meet Maple Room’s fictional zoo animals! The classroom was separated into the different habitats and Aaron School was invited in to visit each place and meet the new, imaginative animals. Aaron School students in various grades asked the Maple Room students questions as they learned about each animal. All students asked and answered amazing questions! They had a blast and the Maple Room is now home to 11 new animals that are each unique!
