What a wonderful morning of cross-grade learning and community service at Harrison Schools! This morning, our Gifted and Talented (GT) 6th graders from the middle school, led by teacher Becca Jackson, paid a special visit to Harrison Preschool.
Their mission? To share the amazing world of bats and promote conservation!
From National Parks to Conservation Heroes
The 6th graders recently completed an in-depth study of America's National Parks, which included a deep dive into Mammoth Cave and, naturally, its bat populations. Coincidentally, their research aligned perfectly with International Bat Appreciation Week (the last week of October)—a global event dedicated to raising awareness about the vital role bats play in our ecosystem and the urgent need for their conservation.
Taking the week's message to heart, the GT students spent time researching, dispelling myths, and crafting educational materials. Their preparation included slide deck presentations, selecting engaging read-aloud books about bats, and designing a fun, creative art activity.
The 6th Graders Become the Teachers
This morning, the switch flipped, and the 6th graders became the expert teachers! They presented their custom lessons to the wide-eyed preschoolers, teaching them fascinating facts about how bats help our world through insect control, pollination, and seed dispersal.
The middle schoolers did a fantastic job—their enthusiasm was contagious, and the preschoolers were captivated by the lessons and the hands-on art project.
The Value of Peer Teaching
This experience offered significant benefits for both age groups:
For the 6th Graders: Teaching is the ultimate test of understanding! It reinforced their research, boosted their confidence, and developed essential communication and presentation skills. It also instilled a deep sense of community responsibility by allowing them to become role models and conservation advocates.
For the Preschoolers: Being taught by "big kids" is incredibly exciting and engaging! They learned valuable, age-appropriate lessons about science and nature from a fresh, relatable perspective, helping to spark early interest in wildlife conservation and correcting common misconceptions about these crucial animals.
Huge applause to Ms. Jackson and her GT students for turning a classroom lesson into a meaningful community outreach project! We are so proud of the leadership and creativity shown by our Harrison students!
#GT #PeerTeaching #BatAppreciationWeek