Grade 1 Takes Action

This year in the Grade 1 Sharing the Planet unit, students investigated the Central Idea, “We have a responsibility to protect the rainforest.” During this transdisciplinary unit, students learned the difference between a temperate and tropical rainforest and mapped all the areas in the world where tropical rainforests exist. Students also wrote their first Research Report on a selected rainforest animal. They worked with Ms. Mimi, learning research skills, note taking and MLA Notation and then wrote impressive teaching books in class about their animals. During literacy centers, Grade 1 Falcons participated in Book Clubs focusing on poison dart frogs, toucans, jaguars, capybaras, sloths and orangutans. Destruction of the Rainforest was an immense focus of the unit. Students had to identify problems (deforestation for homes, palm oil, raising cows, animals losing homes, endangered animals, the release of carbon dioxide in the air every time a tree is cut and the loss of oxygen, heating up of planet, etc.), solutions (plant trees, only buy palm oil with RSPO label, support a plant-based diet, support animal organizations like JRC, reduce, reuse, recycle, etc.) and why the rainforest is important (many medicines and foods come from the rainforest).

Throughout these discussions and learning experiences, students continued to ask questions about deforestation that is happening in so many areas and how we as humans are impacting it. They were devastated when they heard that many animals are losing their homes for various reasons and wanted to take action to make a change. The teachers introduced them to The Jaguar Rescue Center in Puerto de Talamanca, Costa Rica. Faculty were so inspired by the work at this Center, that a visit was incorporated into the spring International Field Study to Costa Rica.

Students went home to find ways to earn money by doing chores, helping neighbors, lemonade stands and beach clean-up playdates to earn the money.

Students raised a record breaking $1,337.72 and adopted a sloth named Mamma Mia who had been electrocuted climbing power lines, losing her right arm and being burned so badly she could never be released back into the wild. We were also able to buy 18 pounds of powdered goat milk. During the Costa Rica Field Study, our Middle School students delivered the money and supplies to the Jaguar Rescue Center and got to meet Mamma Mia in person. All of Grade 1 were able to virtually meet their special girl, Mamma Mia, via Facetime. This was a transformational experience for both our Grade 1 and Middle School students.

As we continue to develop students with worldsized hearts and world-class minds, these types of experiences are vital to our program and allow our students to become engaged and active citizens of the world who are motivated to change this ever changing world.

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I am thankful for the opportunity to make an impact on the Galapagos community. The trip had an impact on me physically and mentally. I enjoyed the challenge of working on the farm and making a positive difference on the environment. We planted trees to help slow global warming and collected trash at the beach and ocean to help fight climate change.”