Name the Terrapin, 2016

For the first time, Severn’s Teel Campus is home to a tiny (and terribly cute!) terrapin through the National Aquarium's Terrapins in the Classroom program. After great success with this program at the Chesapeake Campus in previous years, our 1st grade teachers passed the terrapin torch to 8th grade science teacher, Ms. Joanna Josey. This grew into a great opportunity for inspired learning mixed with a lot of fun, a cross-campus Name the Terrapin Election!



Connecting Campuses

Now that the terrapin is housed on a different campus, first grade teachers Mrs. Shannon Martinez and Mrs. Lisa Custer wanted to find a way to continue working with the program while creating a new connection to the wider school community. When Ms. Josey offered to host the annual Name the Terrapin Election on Teel Campus, with first graders leading the campaign and eighth graders casting their votes, our first grade teachers eagerly accepted the invitation. Mrs. Martinez led the charge to get all of our "terrapins in a row"!


A Truly Cross-Curricular Program

This was a shining example of cross-curricular teaching using real-life experience to build knowledge. In preparation for and following their campaign speeches, our first graders:
  • observed and drew their own terrapins
  • explored the terrapin’s natural habitat and behaviors
  • compared and contrasted campaign posters as they designed their own
  • practiced stage presence and public speaking techniques
  • modelled citizenship and voting in the culminating “Name the Terrapin Election”
  • tallied the votes to explore counting and grouping

Our first grade teaching team working hard with the kids to prepare!
 

And the Winner Is ...

Everyone! The event was a huge hit. After listening carefully to the impressive first grade campaign speeches, 8th graders cheered and cast their votes. Not only did our 1st graders experience a real-life example of the voting process, they shared a fun afternoon with the big kids, smiles and giggles abound. Hats off to everyone involved who made this such a meaningful day for our 1st and 8th grade Admirals! And for those of you waiting to hear the election results, we are pleased to introduce our new friend, Ripper the Terrapin.


Back

Lower School

Upper School