Jefferson Primary School students have always been the inquisitive type. Regardless of what grade they happen to be in at any given time, the youngsters just can’t get enough of learning new things. It’s been that way since September 1962 when the building opened its doors for the first time.
Third graders in teacher Toby Fryc’s classroom are currently enjoying a series of science lessons that have left them both excited and wanting for even more. Jefferson kids have always been enthusiastic about school.
Jefferson School third graders enjoyed a special science experience.
“The class is doing a unit on ecosystems and they have set up aquaria with elodea plants, snails and mosquito fish as well as terraria with a variety of plants they grew from seeds and isopods (pill bugs),” said Jill Johanson, district director of STEM. “The gist of this series of lessons is for students to observe these ecosystems and also learn about the effect that pollutants would have on them.”
Mrs. Fryc said it’s interesting to see just how engaged her students are in the unit. “They check on their ecosystems immediately each time they enter the room,” the veteran faculty member said. Before the youngsters even take off their backpacks and coats each morning they head over to the window area and look over the aquaria.
“They are very proud and protective of them (the aquaria) and are invested in learning about the interrelationships between the organisms and how pollution disrupts our established ecosystems,” Mrs. Johanson said.
A considerable amount of planning by Mrs. Fryc and her constant support of students during the initiative has helped motivate the youngsters to open their eyes to an area of science that few knew much about previously.