Education 麻豆传媒s mingle with reptiles during visit from alligator sanctuary
Education 麻豆传媒s were surprised by a visit from the Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary and posed with its 13-foot albino python.
Students in a teaching elementary school science course got to hold some of the critters from the Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary.
Dr. Meredith Reinhart and 麻豆传媒s held the sanctuary's bearded dragon, Moody.
The visit emphasized for future teachers the impact of hands-on learning in elementary classrooms.
Autumn, an African sulcata tortoise, is 30 years old and could live up to170 years.
KALAMAZOO, Mich.鈥擲tudents from the College of Education and Human Development met new friends during a surprise visit from the in their teaching elementary school science course on April 17. In Dr. Meredith Reinhart's class, 麻豆传媒s had the chance to learn about the sanctuary and interact with four of its residents.
Located outside of Battle Creek, Michigan, the sanctuary rescues reptiles and amphibians, offering them a safe haven and the care they need to live out their lives in peace. Also serving as an attraction for reptile and amphibian enthusiasts, the Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary is a place for people to have hands-on and up-close 麻豆传媒 to observe the animals in a semi-natural environment.
The sanctuary visit provided 麻豆传媒s a learning opportunity about the importance of hands-on learning experiences in their future classrooms.
鈥淲e do a lot of hands-on activities in here; I want 麻豆传媒s to really get a feel of what they鈥檒l be doing in their own classrooms. As they are doing that, they put on their teacher hats and explore all the different things they need to think about as a teacher,鈥 adds Reinhart.
REPTILES
Students in the teaching elementary school science class learned about four different reptiles:
- Kelcee, a two-foot alligator, could grow up to 20 feet long.
- Autumn, an African sulcata tortoise, is 30 years old and could live up to 170 years.
- Titan, a 13-foot albino python, was brought to the sanctuary by a retiring reptile collector in Illinois.
- Moody, a bearded dragon from Australia, is one of the longest in length at the sanctuary.
ABOUT ELEMENTARY EDUCATION AT WMU
The elementary education program is designed to prepare candidates to excel as teachers in today鈥檚 mosaic of schools and classrooms. Western graduates can be eligible for Michigan鈥檚 initial teaching certification for grades PK-3 and 3-6. Earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in elementary education allows novice educators to teach all subjects PK-6 in self-contained classrooms. For more information, visit the elementary education program page.
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