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Grant teaches kids about bugs
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By ELISA SAND, Staff Reporter
| 05/13/2009 |
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Second- and third-graders at St. Thomas School got some hands-on experiences this year that taught students about insects. Dakota State University Assistant Professor Jennifer Gross was awarded a small grant through South Dakota Game, Fish & Park's No Child Left Inside program. The $966 grant allowed for the purchase of digital microscopes for each classroom at St. Thomas and materials for the second- and third-graders.
"The goal is to have pre-service teachers work with students and get (elementary students) outside working with insects," Gross said.
While several students in DSU's education program worked with the youngsters, Alex Rook of Madison spent time all year presenting lessons and doing activities with third-graders.
"Miss Rook came every week and did a little activity," said Deb Leighton, St. Thomas third-grade teacher. "It was awesome. My third-graders truly enjoyed it."
Rook said that the project was also a learning experience for her.
"I really enjoyed it a lot. It was good experience getting in the classroom," she said.
Rook will be a junior this year and will student teach next spring in an elementary setting.
This pre-student teaching experience allowed her to plan lessons and apply what she's learned in class to determine what types of lessons work and which ones doesn't.
Gross presented lessons to second-grade students.
"Dr. Gross has a contagious enthusiasm," second-grade teacher DeDe LaFleur said. "Every time she came, she made the children feel like the most intelligent people."
One of the hands-on activities included outdoor explorations conducted in the fall and spring with second-graders and in the fall, winter and spring with third-graders. Youngsters looked for insects and filled out entomology data sheets about those bugs. Students also prepared reports throughout the year and took pictures of insects with their new microscopes.
Students had lessons about the life cycles of insects, how to find insects, and the importance of respecting the insects' habitat.
"The whole point of this is to carry it forward," Gross said.
Both Leighton and LaFleur said that they plan to continue incorporating these lessons into their curriculum.
"It was very exciting," LaFleur said. "It made me want to do more next year."
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©Madison Daily Leader 2009
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