For Immediate Release
October 20, 2003

Private Schools Partnering with the Houston Zoo

Presbyterian School hosted a luncheon for Lower School Principals to foster an awareness of how the Houston Zoo can partner with and enhance a school’s curriculum.  Keynote speakers from the Houston Zoo included Doug Smith, Community Programs Manager, Tyler Ahnemann, Curator of Education, and Tara Tucker, Outreach Coordinator.   The Houston Zoo offers two great programs for teachers and their students.  They include, “Adventure Classes” and “EcoTracks” which are specifically designed with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in mind and serve as ideal supplements to classroom teachings.  The Adventure Classes, used primarily with lower school students, are weekdays for an hour and involve voluntary animal handling.  One of the Adventure Classes entitled “Animal Differences” teaches students about the main differences among mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates through interactive games, biofacts and experimental exercises.  EcoTracks, used primarily with middle and upper school students, are weekdays for approximately two hours.  EcoTracks offers a 30 minute slideshow on a specific theme (i.e. animal adaptations, endangered species, etc) and then students break up into small groups for a self-guided tour.  Each group is provided with a binder of activities to do when visiting specific animals on the tour and a key to open biofact boxes found at each stop on the tour.  The Houston Zoo also offers programs that come to individual schools through the Zoomobile.  The Houston Zoomobile will bring the zoo to schools with bio facts, live animals and interactive games or activities.

Presbyterian School is proud to integrate the educational offerings of the Houston Zoo with the school curriculum.  Even the school’s early childhood students get involved with animal awareness through their study of pets.  A week is dedicated to the study of different types of pets and proper ways of taking care of animals.  Teachers introduce the topic of pets through art and construction of “shape dogs”, made from various shapes, rainbow fish and paper plate cats and colorful birds.  The class’ dramatic play center also features a pet store.  Students have the opportunity to cook a delicious treat, “dog bones”.  The week is highlighted by a pet show in which each student brings their favorite stuffed animal pet to show to their classmates.

Houston independent schools in attendance at the luncheon included Annunciation Orthodox School, Awty International, Beth Yeshurun, Duchesne Academy, The Fay School, Grace School, Holy Spirit Episcopal, John Cooper School, Kinkaid School, The Regis School, St. Francis Episcopal, St. John’s School, St. Mark’s Episcopal, St. Stephen’s Episcopal and The Shlenker School.