What have you heard about the Praying Mantis and how much of it is true? Look no further than Chapin’s Class 2 students to find out! The girls recently collaborated on a cross-curricular science, library and dance project and they’re ready to share the facts about insects.
The students began their work in the library, reading about butterflies, bees, the Tricolored Jewel Beetle and other interesting creatures. Then they selected one insect for their project, which would culminate in a book of their own design, requiring them to exercise skills in writing, layout and bookmaking.
“They have to consider what would make someone else want to open their book,” said Lower School Librarian Christina Kover. But she noted that what is most important is for a reader to be opening that book to find facts. “These students are learning to separate fact from opinion,” she said. “Even in science books they’ll find narrative, embellishment and creative details. But what are the facts? If someone says a Praying Mantis looks like a monster – that’s an opinion. We need to dig deeper.”
Students designed books that included two facts, as researched and discussed in the library. Then, they drew their insect’s life cycle and a labeled diagram to build upon their insect unit in science with Head of Lower School Science Mary Ostrover and LS Science Teacher Cassidy Washburn. Perhaps most importantly, they learned how to cite their sources.
Lastly, to bring them to life, the students brought their newfound insights of the insects to dance class with Lower School Dance Teacher Susan Strong. In groups, the girls set their knowledge to movement by choreographing and recording a unique dance. Each book will include a QR code that leads to a special video of the dance.
