For years, the 2nd-grade classes have been participating in an ongoing tradition. Elementary has many projects, but one that has remained consistent is the habitat boxes.
These boxes are based on different habitats around the world. Second-grade students choose from 4 main habitats: jungle, desert, grassland and aquatic.
Once they have decided on their habitat, the fun begins. They start out with a base, most often being an old shoe box. The goal is to make the inside of the shoe box look like the habitat they chose.
For example, using tissue paper or construction paper for the background to make it look like the scene. Another way students made it look more realistic is again, using paper and cutting it into strips for the grass.
2nd grader Jaxon Ryan said “I used cotton balls, toilet paper rolls and tissue paper .”
Another 2nd grader Rylee Bonjanski said “I made a waterfall for my habitat.”
Obviously, you can't forget about the animals!
2nd grader Kaylee Dappen explained how most people created their animals out of cut up paper. Some kids built them into 3-d sculptures while others just had the simple, 2-d cut out animal.
Although the paper cut out animals were creative, they were not the only option.
Students got to use any items from home they thought would contribute to their habitat. This sparked an idea in some to bring their own animal figurines as well.
Finally, after all their hard work is done, they end up with a unique habitat box.
No two boxes will look the same. This project has been going on for many years and will hopefully continue through the years.