Grade 5: At Your Service
In this article, English teacher Kimm Lucas shares her reflections on the fifth grade service project with the Denver Zoo.
In this article, English teacher Kimm Lucas shares her reflections on the fifth grade service project with the Denver Zoo.
At Your Service
By Kimm Lucas, Grade 5 English teacher
One of the hallmarks of a Graland education is learning about the importance of service and awareness of the world. Part of the school mission is to prepare our students to be engaged citizens and thoughtful leaders. All grades have a designated service learning project that is completed during the school year. The fifth grade, now well into a decade long relationship with the Denver Zoo, is no exception to the Graland tradition of giving back to the community.
The 2016 fifth grade service learning project took place over several visits to the Denver Zoo between January and April. Students, teachers, and a hearty group of regular parent volunteers learned about current zoo projects around the world and created paper maché enrichment for certain animal species. At the core of the project was for students to build up their knowledge of particular endangered animal species in order to be able to educate the public about those animals.
During each visit, students worked in small groups to become experts on particular endangered animal species in preparation for a big spring event at the zoo to celebrate Earth Day. One of our visits to the zoo gave students a behind-the-scenes view of the commissary where animal meals are prepared. Students and adults were wowed with the careful use of produce, seeing things such as 3-foot long cow bones for lions and frozen mice for certain species at the Zoo to consume.
The culminating event for fifth graders occurred on April 22 at the Zoo’s annual Party for the Planet celebration. Students became docents for the morning, sharing their expertise with zoo visitors. By informing the public about why animals are endangered, what the Zoo is doing to raise awareness of these rapidly disappearing species, and how everyday people can help, students connected with people of all different ages. While using bio-facts such as animal furs and skeletons, along with pictures, activities, and actual endangered species at the zoo, students shared their passion for animals from all over the world.
When reflecting on the experience, Mailin Thompson had this to say, “I loved getting to share what I’ve learned with all different people from all different places and of all different ages.”
Another student said, “What I liked best about our final zoo day was talking to everyone. I also learned that I want to work with animals in the future.”
One parent volunteer, Christine Grawemeyer, reflected on the time at the Zoo saying, “I was amazed to see the students very engaged in researching about their animal and taking their role seriously in explaining the endangered species to the zoo visitors. The fifth graders were excited to teach the visitors on Earth Day and to learn from their peers!”
Such an experience allows fifth graders to become “experts” and advocates of important issues of conservation, and to share these insights with the local public.
Click for a gallery of photos from Party for the Planet.
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Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
