First Grade Human Body Exhibit

First grade has been learning and researching through a months-long inquiry into the human body. Shorecrest’s in-house anatomy expert, Mrs. Peck, Director of the Upper School’s Peck Center for Medical Sciences, engaged students in the dissections of an animal brain, heart, and eye - while teaching many facts about body systems. Guest speakers who are parents in medical fields were also great first-hand resources for the classes.

Chargers were then asked to share what they learned. Each student identified a part or system of the body they wanted to research, and created a visual representation of their learning. Students used information from the earlier dissections as resources for creating their projects. Hands-on work began with a plan, and each child or small group of children put a lot of effort into bringing those plans to life with stimulating projects including artwork, labels, writing, and oral presentations. It was exciting for the teachers to watch the first graders express themselves through their own work. 

The unit culminated with a project share which provided the young learners an opportunity to teach parents and other adults about the human body. First grade experts led guests around a Human Body exhibit in the first grade common area which showcased their deep understanding of the body’s systems.  

Letting students present with expertise is a supporting principle of Project-Based Learning. It is a time of critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving. The teacher serves as a facilitator, guiding the students through research and project creation, rather than delivering all of the information being learned. With this approach to learning, students think critically about big concepts and find ways to present information best suited to their individual strengths.