Where in the World is Raptor

2010-2011, Kindergarten

The class gecko (named Raptor) had enough! His tank was too small, his plants were plastic, there was no food variety and . . . he found garbage in his cage! He wrote the kindergarteners a scathing letter and said that he was off to find a new home. The class researched local habitats, animal characteristics, and plants in order to convince their beloved pet to stay. They performed on Exhibition Night to educate others about the importance of maintaining a clean habitat for animals, giving tips on preserving our environment, and presenting Odes to Raptor.

Remarkable Raptors

2014-2015, Second Grade

In the first part of this expedition, the second grade class learned about the amazing life and super powers of raptors. The expedition began with an in-depth case study of a raptor that calls Rochester home, the peregrine falcon. Through this lens, the students dove into the classification, biomes, food, threats, lifecycle, and adaptations of raptors. The second part of this expedition was a case study in which each student became an expert on a specific raptor. Using the same criteria they looked at in the first case study, students researched how their assigned bird adapted to survive in different biomes throughout the world (i.e. desert, tundra, rainforest). The culmination of their research was put to use in their final products – artistic opinion pieces.

It’s Up to Us!

2014-2015, Fifth Grade

In the past, our expeditions have been about our history. However, this expedition focused on how we play a role in the history of our future. Throughout this expedition, the fifth grade class investigated the choices they make in their daily lives and the effects those choices have on their environment. As problem-solvers, they were empowered to find solutions to help create a sustainable future.