Bayshore Elementary holds innovative Survivor Week
It was a full week of building totems, physical and immunity challenges and more, like the hit TV show “Survivor,” with invaluable learning experiences, said Bayshore Elementary Principal Lynn Herrell concerning the school’s special “Survivor Week” event.
A wide range of fun and learning activities took place recently at the school throughout an entire week, involving students, staff, parents and volunteers.
The event came about after the students read a book called, “The Talking Earth,” by Jean Craighead George.
“It’s about a Seminole girl who has to survive out in the Everglades. We had a Florida studies theme, so we incorporated a Survivor Week,” said Herrell.
The result was a school-wide innovative and inspiring program that combined required and every day learning experiences in a dramatic setting.
They followed Billie Winds’ life, challenges and responsibilities through the lessons, said Herrell, mirroring important responsibilities in any life.
“We had a team of teachers who put this together. We weren’t sure what it would turn out to be, but it turned into this Survivor Week that was extremely successful. Each of the grade levels put together special stations that the kids went to throughout the week,” said Herrell.
They incorporated everything from vocabulary lessons to history, science and social studies.
Visually stimulating exhibits by volunteers were aplenty.
They had “the Alligator Man” – Tracy Hansen – who captures all the alligators in Lee and Charlotte county when you call. He talked about nature.
Lee County Mosquito Control came out with its helicopter, and Lee County Electric Coop volunteers constructed a large teepee and showed how animal skins were used for Indian clothing. They also provided re-enactors in a variety of Indian and historical scenes. Jolene Reynolds first-grade class was enthralled with re-enactor who spun wool.
The event was colorful. Each class had physical challenges and immunity challenges as in the TV show. All the kids made totems to be part of their “challenges.” It wasn’t just physically oriented, there were also teams who won for best spirit and best cheer.
“It was all about teamwork,” said teacher Angela Trewartha. She and fellow teachers, including Cindy Mikelsen and Speech Technician Lisa Coy, worked with students on a “Shelter Challenge” where kids built actual shelters in Joelle Beverly’s classroom.
“The main character of the book, Billie Wind, faces many challenges she has to overcome by herself,” Herrell continued, and the students learned about life challenges as well as incorporating their studies. The book also concerns the environment, something she was excited for the kids to explore.
Student first-grader Lizbeth Lopez said her favorite part of the week was, “All of it!” Numerous other students showed the excitement of the innovative teaching week.
Another highlight was in the school’s Media Center. The Media Center’s Zona Gale Burkhead put together a museum of Seminole Indian items.
“She was actually a tour guide, taking the kids through the stations,” she said.
They followed a map through the stations, which included food, crafts, fire and other displays. Burkhead actually went out to a reservation to get information and craft the displays herself.
The students started with a “food chickee” that displayed food, culture and tools and then moved on to several diverse displays.
“My very, very favorite display was the spoke fire,” continued Burkhead. “Our wonderful principal is going to keep all of this and put it into a kit for teachers for the future,” said Burkhead.
There was a landfill and “sensory boxes” among the outdoor stations surrounding the school grounds. Along the lines of the book, there was even a sensory display where kids were blindfolded and had to identify animal sounds.
The school credits a local store for helping it put on such a full week.
“The North Fort Myers Wal-Mart gave a $1,000 grant which is what we used to purchase all the books and supplies and materials for the week,” said Herrell.
Herrell said she looks forward to working with her staff on other unique projects like “Survivor Week,” which combine dramatic settings, fun and learning.