The school year began with the usual challenges and setbacks: learning new students, communicating with new parents, changes in curriculum, etc. From the moment that first child crossed the threshold of my classroom, I aimed to help and encourage each one accomplish academic growth. But I gave little thought, at least at first, to emotional and social growth. The days chugged along, seasons changed, three day weekends came and went, and then, my group of forty-two compassionate and creative students rescued a red-eared slider, Wayne, from our school's parking lot. My view of who my students were, their capabilities and talents, was about to change.
With the help of our science teacher, my students planned, prepared, and produced a habitat for little Wayne. They researched red-eared sliders, pond building materials, turtle environments, and the work that they would need to accomplish in order to help Wayne survive in his new home. From the sidelines, I had the opportunity to see students' strengths come to fruition in a way I had not seen before. This project allowed those who might not soar in the classroom to flourish in other ways. Those who struggled with reading excelled in leadership skills; those who had difficulty understanding fractions enjoyed the physical labor involved in building a pond. Some students took to nurturing Wayne with love and consistency. Others showed their interest by helping with pond upkeep as the weeks went by. All of them found some sort of niche in which they grew as learners and humans in such a short amount of time.
My team partner and I witnessed creativity and critical thinking at each step of the process. And with some guidance, the fifth graders at Cox Elementary hold the memory of collaborating to help someone (something) in need.
Wayne's Habitat... In Progress
