Featured Programs
Zoo Study Buddies
Hoover Elementary
Hoover Elementary in Lincoln Park, Michigan received a grant for $750 to run the Zoo Study Buddies Project under the direction of kindergarten teacher Ms. Cynthia Hamblin. The project pairs sixth graders with kindergarten children for days of science and social fun. The children team together in the winter to talk about what animal they might like to learn about. At the second meeting, the buddies start the research by taking notes and gathering pictures. Next the children take the information and make a collage or poster about the animal and then in the final weeks build a habitat based on the information they have gathered. After the habitats are displayed around the school, the parents are invited to join in on a field trip to the Zoo. There the children look for the selected animal and make written observations about the details of the zoo habitat. Later they meet to discuss and compare the habitats.
Benefits: In addition to learning about the animal habitats and scientific research, the older children have a chance to mentor the younger and to be looked up to. At the same time, the kindergartners are able to develop a relationship with older children. An unexpected outcome reported was that the year following the initial project, a decrease in bullying on the playground was noticed. There seemed to be a carry-over of the older children “looking out for” the younger ones and an increased sense of community.
Photo Set 1:
Involves the partnered students (a kindergarten student and a sixth grade student) computer researching the animal of their choice and the natural habitat of that animal.
Photo Set 2:
The partners build diorama’s based on the research they have done. They love to use all of the supplies to create a scene of their animals habitat.
Photo Set 3:
The Study Buddies take a bus to the zoo to actually visit the animals in their simulated natural environment. This is a day filled with excitement for not only the two age groups involved, but also the parents who come along to watch their children enjoy their friendships.
