6-Lined Racerunner, named Junior, was brought in by Gavin found at a lake in Illinois by his dad. Leo is our leopard gecko, the creature that started it all. As we researched and learned about him, our eyes were opened to many other creatures and questions flooded in from students. | Stick bug found outside our window at recess time. The students are turning into researchers and inquirers! Although we have not actually seen the mud dauber wasps in our classroom, this is what they look like. We researched about them. | Our caterpillar made its chrysalis over the first weekend from when Michaela had brought him to class. This is what our mud dauber nests look like. They are in our window at school and have created a wonderful research inquiry along with our other creatures. |
This is the monarch caterpillar that Michaela brought in one day. She originally brought it to feed Leo because he eats types of caterpillars. We decided to keep him instead of feeding him to Leo. | How did we get to have so many class pets, you ask? Let's just say it was the passion and excitement of the students inquiry and desire to learn that we ended up with more than just the originally planned Leopard Gecko. My students have been busy researching to identify creatures like the mud dauber wasp, look up habitat needs for the 6-lined race runner and monarch caterpillar, and finally how to take care of Leo the leopard gecko. These creatures have inspired research projects, writing stories, art projects, desired book topics, and science inquiry. It is only October and we are learning so much! Keep up the great work third graders! What have you learned so far? What is your favorite pet we have researched and why? |