Third graders at the Bear Creek School recently showcased their learning through individual presentations as part of the District’s Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) English Language Arts curriculum. During the Animal Classification unit, students explored how scientists study and categorize animals based on shared characteristics.

For their culminating project, each student took on the role of a “zookeeper,” selecting an animal to research in depth. Their projects included details about habitat, geographic range, diet, size, unique features, and scientific classification. Students then presented their findings to their classmates, gaining valuable practice in public speaking and confidence-building.

Animals featured in the presentations included the ocelot, tiger shark, capybara, barracuda, wolf, fox, leopard gecko, cheetah, and bald eagle.

The project highlighted both academic growth and the joy of hands-on learning, celebrating students’ curiosity and hard work as they explored the natural world.