Waldron Elementary 4Waldron Elementary 4thth Grade - Grade -Welcomes you to the BIG Zoo Welcomes you to the BIG Zoo
Lesson!Lesson!
In the BIG Zoo Lesson model, In the BIG Zoo Lesson model, teachers and students use the teachers and students use the Potter Park Zoo as their classroom Potter Park Zoo as their classroom for a week.for a week.
The BIG Zoo Lesson is a study trip that The BIG Zoo Lesson is a study trip that spans five consecutive days at Potter spans five consecutive days at Potter
Park ZooPark Zoo Teachers and students immerse themselves in
learning for a full week of in-depth study Students will work with experts on site Students will be provided with teacher-led lessons
and reinforced with independent observation and research time
Essential Components of the Essential Components of the BIG Zoo LessonBIG Zoo Lesson
Correlation with Michigan Standards for Effective Teaching and Learning
Lessons are teacher-led and students-centered Extended time for observation and research Extensive use of community resources Parents are active participants
The traditional field trip changes to The traditional field trip changes to ananall-day, all-week interdisciplinary all-day, all-week interdisciplinary study trip.study trip.
This experience includes…•Behind the scenes tours,•Presentations by community experts,•And groups of students working cooperatively on research.
Students, Teachers, and Parents Students, Teachers, and Parents use Potter Park Zoo use Potter Park Zoo as their Classroomas their Classroom
The BIG Zoo Lesson brings the classroom into the community
This community uses the most available authentic setting for the children’s learning
As part of the BIG Zoo As part of the BIG Zoo Lesson, students will…Lesson, students will…Talk with wildlife experts,Observe animal behaviors,And research animals from all
over the world.
As part of the BIG Zoo Lesson,As part of the BIG Zoo Lesson,teachers will…teachers will…Create a hands-on learning environment
for students,Provide a full week of lessons with docents
and zookeepers,Conduct daily animal observations,And assist in cooperative research.
Parents are actively Parents are actively involved.involved.
Involved in learning activities
Involved in student service projects
Success of Students Participating in Success of Students Participating in the the
BIG Zoo LessonBIG Zoo Lesson Students show excitement and knowledge about
animals Students are able to develop research papers Students learn about endangered species(SSP)
Species Survival Plan Students create poetry pertaining to their research
animal Students are engaged in art projects Students are involved in peer teaching about the zoo