HOM Australian Animal Experts

Fourth grade students in Pat Aschauer’s class at Head O’ Meadow School could be considered experts on different Australian animals after the research and time spent on their projects.

The students presented their animal projects to family and friends Tuesday during a special performance, “Australian Animals,” in the school cafeteria. The differentiated learning project began in October for the fourth graders.

Students were put into teams to research animals like the emu, wallaby, dingo, platypus, frilled lizard, echidna, wombat, and Tasmanian devil, according to Ms Aschauer. Once in the group students were able to decide what part of the project they wanted to concentrate on – technology, construction, or reporting – but they were also responsible for making sure the other areas they had not chosen were getting done.

Cheryl Caloras from the Discovery Department at the Middle School assisted with the enrichment project. The students used the Internet and library to study and gain information about their assigned animals.

During the presentation on Tuesday, students used presentation boards, art work, and Power Point presentations that they created themselves to show their families and friends what they had learned about Australian animals, from what they eat to how many babies they have, to the habitats they live in.