At South Central Elementary School, curiosity is at the heart of learning! Recently, Mrs. Hayes’ 4th-grade class dove into a fascinating lesson about how internal and external structures help organisms survive, grow, and reproduce. After engaging discussions on animal needs and adaptations, students took their learning to the next level with a fun pixel art activity, illustrating what animals learn from their parents versus what they instinctively know.
But the excitement didn’t stop there! To reinforce their understanding, Mrs. Hayes and her students decided to change things up by bringing a bit of nature into the classroom. With milkweed flourishing at her home, Mrs. Hayes found a tiny monarch caterpillar for the class to observe. Watching the caterpillar grow in the butterfly cage provided a real-life glimpse into the world of these remarkable insects.
As the students witnessed the caterpillar munching on milkweed, they learned about its fascinating, yet crucial role in the monarch's survival. They discovered that milkweed is poisonous to mammals, which is why farmers often remove it from their fields—a fact that ties into the concerning decline of monarch butterfly populations.
This hands-on experience not only brought the lesson to life but also sparked discussions about curiosity and exploration. It reminded students that learning can happen outside of textbooks—whether it's observing nature, asking questions, or making connections. At South Central Elementary, we encourage our students to embrace their curiosity, explore their environment, and discover the wonders of the world around them!
