The past two weeks CRSP schools have visited the Tanglewood Nature Center or the TNC has visited the schools for a follow-up to the Riverwalks and to introduce the students to creatures - some of them rescued from disasters - who live at Tanglewood. I visited Hendy Avenue Elementary School today and observed Tanglewood naturalists, Ian McLaughlin and Monika Wood present a most informative and fascinating presentation to thoroughly engaged students and staff. The Hendy teachers who were present contributed much to the program in the form of observations, facts and very pertinent questions. The topics included the food web and habits and life cycle especially of the live creatures on the premises. Vocabulary words included herbivore, omnivore, carnivore, aquatic, terrestrial, nocturnal, reptile and amphibian.
In the photo above, Monika and Ian at the head of the class challenge the students to name some animals that are carnivores. When the students exhaust their memories, Ian provides some very demonstrative clues to assist the students in naming at least one more. The hands of many students shoot up as they were eager to answer "bear!" Some children could hardly remain in their seats!
The students were already enthused about the presentation, but it only got better as the mysterious boxes in the front of the class opened up to reveal a menagerie of creatures.
First, Monika presented a box turtle. She provided many facts about the creature and then she asked the students to venture a guess as to whether or not the turtle is terrestrial or aquatic. One of the students thought "terrestrial" meant "from outer space." After explaining that aliens are "extra" terrestrial, Monika explained that the box turtle is terrestrial because it stays mostly on the land. It's dome-shaped shell is too heavy and is the wrong shape for swimming. Moreover, its feet lack webs, an adaptation with which aquatic turtles (which spend most their time in the water) come equipped.
Of course, to impress upon the students the difference, Monika next presented a real live painted turtle. Students could readily see how both turtles have adapted to different habitats. The painted turtle is lighter in weight, its shell is flatter and its feet are webbed. Another neat adaptation of this particular creature is the coloring of the shell. The top of the shell is dark to blend in with the color of the water as if a predator were to look down on the water. The bottom of the shell is light, like the sun or reflected light, to fool a would-be predator looking up at the turtle from the water beneath. See if you identify the box turtle from the painted turtle in the photos below!
Monika also showed the students a frog and a salamander, but the star of the show made her grand entrance last. "Sophie" the great-horned owl needed to be handled with even greater care than the previous creatures. Ian protected himself with thick leather gloves and put a leash around Sophie's ankle (gently) because Sophie is a large predator. As a hunter, she comes equipped with a beak and mouth as large as her eyes. With her mouth fully opened, she can swallow rodents whole! Her talons are very large - the largest of any owl.
Sophie is covered with feathers from head to toes. Ian explained that animals who are completely covered with fur or feathers do not migrate. We also learned that owls have very good hearing. Their ears are so sensitive, they can hear noises up to two miles away.
When Sophie eats (small foxes, skunks, squirrels and chipmunks), about 8 hours later, she produces what is called an "owl pellet." It is a ball of bone and hair that cannot be digested; thus, it is coughed up and spit out her mouth. By studying these pellets, scientists are able to discover a lot about owls.
Although there were many students in the class, Sophie did not "freak out" while perched on Ian's arm. She is much more used to people than most owls and, too, the students at Hendy School were very considerate and made no loud noises or sudden movements to frighten Sophie or any of her fellow creatures.
Meeting Ian and Monika and all the animals today provided students with indelible impressions and educational experiences that are likely to stick with them forever. Hendy School is to be congratulated for realizing that learning need not only come from text books. Sometimes experience is the very best tool of the very best teachers.
During the Tanglewood visits, the teachers were as attentive and engaged as the students, frequently providing observations, facts and excellent questions of their own! It was easy to see the way this presentation tied in with the school curriculum and satisfied a multitude of NY State Education standards.
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