Meet “The Raiforans” in Second Grade
A toucan, howler monkey, and boa constrictor—along with 10 other rain forest animals—greeted visitors in the Lower School Gym for the recent second grade presentation, “The Raiforans" (Rain Forest Animals). These budding research scientists shared an impressive depth of understanding about “their” animal as well as the indigenous Embera people, who live in the Panamanian rain forest. Dividing into small groups, they performed a short skit depicting the Embera way of life, showing how they gather food and care for their families.
Second grade teacher Doug Hoff has been developing the curriculum for this unit over several years, finding engaging child-friendly websites and resource materials to support learning. “The project is deep and allows the students to put pieces together to come to their own conclusions,” Hoff says. “Students learn how a rain forest functions and how the Embera and consumers fit into the picture. When they'd learn something new, they'd enthusiastically recall something they'd already learned and make a connection!”
Hoff appreciates the foundation for this unit established by former Principia teacher Rachel Crandell (C’65), who lived and worked in Costa Rica’s rain forest, visited the Embera and put their stories into writing, and introduced countless Principia students to its wonders. Building on that work, Hoff has developed the unit as a multidisciplinary study, incorporating science and art. Lower School science teacher Mary Jane Hoff (C’92) provided in-depth instruction in the ecology and biodiversity of the rain forest. And art teacher Louise Elmgren (C’84) guided students in creating their multimedia animals. The children also made colorful props and scenery for the presentation and to decorate the school hallways.
Earlier in the term, second graders visited the Saint Louis Zoo and the Missouri Botanical Garden (MOBOT) to learn more about the rain forest environment and animals. With its dense foliage and forest canopy, waterfall, and abundant tropical plant species, the Climatron at MOBOT gave students a close-up view of what living in a rain forest would be like.
Along with being fun, the Raiforans project sharpens students’ research and presentation skills and leads them to make connections with their present experience. “Many of the children become land stewards after this,” Hoff notes. “They understand more about positive and negative impacts on our planet, not in a guilty or sad way but in a proactive, thoughtful, and responsible way. This connection to their current lives is essential to the lesson, so that they are not simply learning about a place far away.”