Recycled materials used to design models of sea creatures
The B.C. Catholic
Students at St. Francis Xavier elementary used a change in the curriculum to create an under-the-sea extravaganza.
“Last year British Columbia teachers were notified that the curriculum would be changing in an attempt to make it more dynamic for all learners,” said Natalie Lake, a Grade 6 teacher at St. Francis Xavier School. She decided to give the students a learning experience on the broad topic of multi-cellular ocean organisms.
“With help from Miss Gaby Olaivar, the classroom teaching assistant, the students were guided on this journey by outlines for each portion of the project,” Lake explained.
“With help from Miss Gaby Olaivar, the classroom teaching assistant, the students were guided on this journey by outlines for each portion of the project,” Lake explained.
The students were allowed to focus on subjects they found interesting, and to start at a comfortable level. “In no time, the students were so excited to learn in this way they went above and beyond, stretching their knowledge to higher levels.”
“We did a humongous ‘under the sea’ themed project,” said Rhoswen The, a student in Lake’s class. “We did presentations on certain organisms, and then voted for what would be made and displayed in our big project.”
“We collected tons of recyclable materials which we used to create an ocean organism.” With these materials as a base, the animals were completed with papier mache, and painted.
After completing their sculptures, the students worked on becoming “experts” on their chosen organisms. “I wanted the students to teach others all of the exciting things they had learned,” Lake said. “The students hosted tours for three days and taught younger and older students, parents, teachers, and other staff members of the CISVA.”
“Everything turned out wonderfully, and all our visitors were incredibly impressed!” Rhoswen The said. “This project was an amazing and worthwhile experience that I know I will remember forever.”
