Second- and third-grade students in the Talented and Gifted (TAG) program show off their masks during an “Ask the Student Experts” event at Arleth Elementary School on April 20. JEFF GRANIT staff SAYREVILLE — More than 100 elementary school students stood quietly waiting in rows in theArleth School gymnasium onApril 20, breathing rapidly behind homemade masks depicting endangered animals, as their parents filed in slowly.
The second- and third-grade students, all members of the Talented and Gifted (TAG) program, researched the habitats, lifespans and other fun facts of various animals in danger of extinction for an “Ask the Student Experts” presentation last week. The visiting parents wandered the room, approaching students who fielded their questions about their assigned animal.
The students were visibly excited to show off their newly acquired expertise on animals, including dolphins, ocelots, sea turtles, arctic foxes, penguins, bobcats, burrowing owls, whales and desert tortoises. According to TAG teacher Paulette Hudock, the students’ interest in the animals was sparked in October when they visited the Philadelphia Zoo.
Second-grader Azrielle Smith, of Truman School, showcases her red-eyed tree frog mask to visiting parents during a TAG program called “Ask the Student Experts” on April 20. PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT STAFF Third-grader Alexandria Zak’s knowledge of the giant panda used to be limited to information provided by the movie “Kung Fu Panda,” but now she knows that the oldest giant panda died at age 34 and most of them spend 10 to 16 hours a day eating.
“If we don’t learn about them, we can’t help them stay alive,” Zak said succinctly.
Aaron Ramos, a second-grade student from Truman School, was unaware that his animal also was featured in popular movies, before he took on this assignment.
Santino Whitaker, a second-grade student from Truman School, holds his poster about the endangered narwhal. “I never knew they were in the Harry Potter movies,” said Ramos, referencing the character’s pet owl named Hedwig. He said he spent a long time researching the animal online and said the species would benefit if people stopped polluting the arctic tundra.
Most of the students were optimistic about playing their part and helping their animals avoid extinction. Behind an elaborate blue mask of a cerulean warbler, second-grade Eisenhower School student Maxine Straka said, “If the species are going to end, it is good to know you can help in many ways. We can replant trees in strip-mining areas and grow shaded coffee crops.”
Hudock, a TAG teacher for 24 years, said the children learned a great deal about the animals, but the lessons did not stop there. “They also learned communication skills, and I feel that every leader should have excellent communication skills,” she said. “I teach them how to shake hands properly, have direct eye contact and show confidence. It helps with their self-esteem.”
In addition to memorizing animal facts and creating a mask, the assignment required students to make posters that the students decorated with pictures of their animals, interesting facts and clipart. Hudock required that the students use Microsoft Word to give them technology experience.
Third-grade student Rebecca Platt from Eisenhower School went “above and beyond” in her poster presentation, even including a display of turtle shells that her uncle lent her for the project. Describing the turtles, she said, “Most of them are gentle and beautiful, and if they’re gone, most people won’t have a chance to see them.”
Deeksha Patel Reddy, a third-grade student from Truman School, said her favorite parts of the project were creating the poster, doing the research and working with her partner, Lily Quackenbush. Together, they learned about penguins, and some facts surprised them.
“The largest emperor penguins can be 60 to 90 pounds,” Quackenbush said. “I just thought they were 2 pounds. They weigh more than me!”
Quackenbush said humans should take their cues from Mr. Popper of the 2011 movie “Mr. Popper’s Penguins.”
“When people get hurt, you help them,” she said. “We should treat animals the same way.”
Hudock treated the students to a “Zoo on Wheels” presentation by the Philadelphia Zoo after their program ended. Zoo representatives showed the children an armadillo, a chinchilla, a tortoise and a frog while talking about endangered species. Afterward, the students completed a craft project that they were told to hang outside their home windows to keep birds from accidentally flying into glass.
“Making learning fun is what stimulates children, and I think they really had a wonderful time at this TAG presentation in every respect, and they also learned a lot,” Hudock said.