3rd graders hatch chicks in classroom
Students were able to see new chicks hatch in class as they completed their lesson on the life cycle.
By Ian Dinkins, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications
Back
Over the last month, third grade students at University School of Nashville learned firsthand about the life cycle by having eggs in incubators in classrooms and witnessing the hatching process.
The project turned out to be a wonderful hands-on life science unit and created the perfect stage to teach concepts across the curriculum because the students were so engaged, according to Third Grade Teacher Barabra Voehler.
In previous years, Lower Schoolers have learned about the life cycle of frogs, trout, and other animals. Still, as Third Grade Teacher Barbara Voehler mentioned, they were particularly excited to see the hatching process in class and track progress from the night before using a camera set up to monitor the incubator.
“They were eager to learn and research. They loved to come into the classroom every day and see if anything had changed and to learn what was happening inside the egg every day,” she said.
During each day of the project, students created detailed diaries of what happened inside the egg. Once the eggs hatched, they presented all of the different ways they learned about the life cycle in front of the class.
Stella Luecke ‘33 and Layden Horton ‘33 had some experience seeing chicks on family farms but loved the hands-on nature of the project.
“My favorite part of the project was holding the baby chicks and seeing them hatch in our class,” Layden said.
A highlight of the project for Stella was learning so much about her second favorite animal (her favorite is a cat) and one that she had seen around a family farm.
“Learning about the difference between fertilized and unfertilized eggs and that chicks like to cuddle was one of my favorite parts of the whole thing,” she said.
While the eggs were readying to hatch, third graders studied other parts of the life cycle through frog dissection.
“Each part of the project teaches responsibility and the fragility and resiliency of life,” said Voehler. “With the frog dissection, we got to study and learn about the anatomy of a frog and how it compares to a chicken.”
On Tuesday, April 16, the moment that everyone had been waiting for finally arrived. The chicks began to hatch, and students saw the wonder of the life cycle with their own eyes.
Now, third graders are studying what food and habitat the small birds need to grow and successfully continue their life cycle. The best part of the project is that some families will take the chicks home and care for them in the backyard, so students will continue to see the life cycle up close every day.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
-
Spring sports season ends with podium finishes, trophies
The girls lacrosse team ended its season in overtime to become state runner-up. Tennis players Carter Kojetin '29 finished as a state quarterfinalist, Sophie Oliver '26 and Mary Kate Adler '28 finished as state semifinalists, and Veer Kodali '29 and Max Parker '29 finished as state champions. Meanwhile, eight runners competed at the state track and field meet in Knoxville, where Griffin Davidson '27, Caleb Freifeld '28, Drew Zwerner '28, and Jack Fruin '27, sprinted to first in the 4x800m relay and Jack also placed first in the 800m dash.Read More -
USN creates the Juliet Douglas Endowed Fund for Student Success
For the entire USN community: an invitation to give in gratitude, in celebration, and in honor of the woman who has given so much to our school. Make a gift at usn.org/giving to support students with needs beyond tuition and honor Interim Director Juliet Douglas.Read More -
Middle School Quiz Bowl competes at national championship
The Middle School Quiz Bowl finished off another successful season with a trip to the Middle School National Championship Tournament in Chicago. The team fought hard and ended the season as a top-100 program in the country, finishing 75th overall. Congratulations to the team on a great performance and to Lucas Lupu ’31, named an All Star for being the fifth-highest scorer nationwide.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.