Bayshore Elementary holds annual ‘Survivor’ event
Last week, Bayshore Elementary School has held its second annual “Survivor” event; much to the delight of students, faculty, administration and staff.
Last year, Principal Lynn Herrell started the event, which incorporates all areas of studies throughout the school.
Based on the hit T.V. series, it also involves many local community agencies, and is a unique learning experience.
To prepare for “Survivor Week” kids read a book that demonstrates surviving in the wild, and the spirit of human spirit when faced with diversity.
This year the book was “Oonawassee Summer” by Melissa Forney.
One message in the book was teamwork, said school counselor Jan Moretti, who worked with students on the project.
“It is teamwork, and I’m working with students on a giant puzzle from pieces of the book,” she said, adding teamwork would solve it.
Fifth grade teacher Alison Ackerman praise for the event.
“Everyone is having a great time, learning about cooperation and how to survive in the wilderness.”
Vice Principal Ben Ausman said the kids were having a fantastic learning experience.
“They love it. They spent one or two weeks with the book, then they did things they only pictured. It is everything to interact hands-on with what they have learned.”
Students Benjamin McAfee, Scott Martell, Shakira Rivera and Carmen Flores – all fourth graders – said they learned a lot from the experience. McAfee said.
“I learned a lot about a 14-foot and 1/8-inch gator who was in the story.”
The gator was a key focus for many students from the story, including third graders Barbara Jacinto and Mark Caglioti.
“Goliath the Alligator was one of the main characters,” said Herrell.
They had stations throughout the school relating to parts of the book combining them with studies and pop culture – including “Goliath Jeopardy.”
Like that his T.V. show, students could get points in many categories, including “Goliath Demographics” and “Goliath Edibles.”
A First Aid Station was another book-to-real-life scenario, where kids could relate what they learned from the book to real CPR. Speech technician Lisa Coy was one of the staff members who manned the station where students Paige Henderson, Ramon Lopez. Benjamin Bautista and others came through to learn basics of first aid.
The Media Center’s Zona Gale Burkhead again outdid herself with a “swamp” and put together a display of items from the book.
While math, science studies and heavy subjects were involved in the project, the school staff still had some fun. North Fort Myers and Bayshore Fire Departments came out and supervised marshmallows burning on a fire.
Herrell said it will again be an important project next year.