By Michael Nocella

The Weedsport Elementary School fourth-grade class recently published a book titled “Endangered Species of New York,” which can be found online here:

“Endangered Species of New York”

A QR code to the book can also be found at the Beaver Lake Nature Center after the class took a field trip there before Thanksgiving break. 

Led by teachers Shantel Dolph and Cristin Racha, the book and field trip came together in two parts. First, Mrs. Dolph led the way with the book, which was a social studies book project. Given the content and subject matter of the book, it then perfectly aligned for Mrs. Racha to get involved as well.

“As the science teacher,” Mrs. Racha said, “I found that this field trip perfectly aligned with our fourth-grade science standards. In our curriculum, we focus on understanding the internal and external structures of organisms and how these adaptations support their survival in various habitats. Visiting Beaver Lake provided the students with an invaluable opportunity to observe and interact with real-life examples. They were able to see and touch different animal structures, such as fur and webbed feet, which directly relate to their learning about adaptations in nature.”

Mrs. Dolph elaborated on the origins behind putting the book together in the first place.

“Normally the students research a species and make a poster to present to class,” she said. “This year we have more time in our schedule and wanted to do something bigger with more of a purpose. With the help of Karen Schaub and Jonathan Schillace, we came up with the idea of making a book on Canva. The shift from a traditional poster presentation to creating a book on Canva provided a more interactive and creative platform for the students to express their findings.”

“By researching the reasons behind endangerment,” Mrs. Dolph continued, “solutions for protection, and the importance of preserving biodiversity, they gained a deeper understanding of the subject. We began researching and even had a zoom call with a woman from the DEC who works in the endangered species program, this provided a real-world view of conservation efforts. The students worked so hard to find out why their species were endangered, what we can do to help, and why it matters if they become extinct. The students engaged in a meaningful and impactful project that not only enhanced their knowledge of endangered species but also fostered a sense of responsibility for the environment.”

As for the field trip, it was the first time the trip had been conducted – but both teachers hope it’s not the last. Students were part of a comprehensive presentation from a Beaver Lake Naturalist that included insights to local animals such as beavers, deer, fishers, porcupines, owls, foxes, and more via hands-on artifacts and interactive games.  

“This is the first year for this field trip,” Mrs. Dolph said. “I would be thrilled to repeat it next year following the revision of the Endangered Species book. It would be wonderful to have each subsequent class of students update the book annually, allowing it to be continuously displayed in the reading room at Beaver Lake.”

Mrs. Racha noted that the way in which the Beaver Lake Naturalist was able to engage with the students made the field trip a great experience.

“I believe the students particularly enjoyed the hands-on experiences,” Mrs. Racha said, “such as touching and exploring the various animal structures. This interactive aspect made the learning more memorable. They learned about the unique adaptations that different animals possess and how these features aid their survival in specific environments. The excitement of seeing these structures in person likely deepened their understanding and appreciation for the subject.”

Mrs. Dolph agreed.

“The hands-on portion kept them the most engaged,” she said. “The times when they were able to get up and get their bodies moving to understand just how far a deer can jump and to see how a beaver can see above the water were not only fun but educational and brought the understanding to an age-appropriate level.”

Both teachers also agreed it was an experience they would be thrilled to replicate in the coming years.

“I would like to express my gratitude to everyone involved in making this field trip possible,” Mrs. Racha said. “It not only enriched the students’ educational experience but also fostered their curiosity about the natural world. I look forward to more opportunities like this that can further bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-life experiences.”