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