Cleveland, OH
ZOOM to the Zoo
After school doors closed, programs of school, family, and community partnerships took new forms. At Tremont Montessori, one teacher planned a “field trip” for a science lesson on zoo animals with students, teachers, and parents. They traveled by ZOOM from Cleveland to the San Diego Zoo.
Parents were invited to “chaperone” the trip, caring for their own child’s attendance and well-being. Teachers asked parents to send a note with the name of an animal that their child wanted to see at the zoo. They used this input to plan the trip and lessons. The class visited each animal and talked about its habitat. Children followed up the trip by drawing a picture of their favorite animal and sending it to their teacher.
Some students and parents did not have working computers or Internet access at home. Some were given necessary technology; others could not come on the trip. Tremont’s leaders are looking into assistance to solve this challenge from the preschool organization that guides its program and with support from Donor’s Choose.
The zoo was a wonderful virtual experience for students, parents, and teachers. One great benefit of Zoom to the Zoo was that Tremont preschoolers were able to see their teacher and friends, and have some fun while learning together.
See more about ZOOM to the Zoo in Promising Partnership Practices 2020.
Thanksgiving Parade Balloons over Tremont
Balloons over Broadway is a children’s book about the famous Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. At Tremont, students listened to the story and brainstormed ideas for a school parade and how their class could make a float or create a marching band. They drew pictures to show how the class float or band would look. Then, they explained their ideas to their classmates and teachers, and each class selected one design to develop for the Thanksgiving parade.
Parents contributed funds, time, and materials for the floats, including shoe boxes, string, stickers, glitter, glue, and other odds and ends. PNC, a strong school partner, donated art supplies and construction materials for the project. Classes that chose to form marching bands used the rhythm instruments from the school’s Grow-up Great Symphony partnership.
The children learned about the structure of a parade (e.g., how to walk while playing their instruments, how to walk with their class float) and about helping spectators enjoy the parade experience. The students’ work reflected the school’s hands-on learning philosophy. The students shared ideas, took turns in groups working on their floats and bands, and saw their plans become parade-worthy and fun for all.
The school’s office team printed colorful flyers to post at school and for students to take home to invite parents to celebrate the students’ work. Over 70 parents attended—representing nearly all of the preschool student population.
See more about Thanksgiving Parade Balloons over Tremont in Promising Partnership Practices 2020.
