Science museum concept employed to assist learning, teaching at KVCS

Kootenai Valley Christian School teacher Chrys Marchant knows among the best ways to learn is by doing. So, when her third-grade students studied vertebrates last week, she invited them to research a specific topic and then pass that knowledge on to other students.

The result was a Science Museum where third-graders actually offered insight to students up to two years older than her students on the topic of their studies.

“It’s a great way to learn,” Marchant said. “We read the chapter and then did comprehensive questions and crossword puzzles with the new words we’ve learned. There’s also a test.”

During the session Tuesday, students instructed pupils from Penny Thompson’s fifth-grade class, and Marchant said the whole process works well for both classes.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Marchant said. “We have some of the things in our classroom, but the Megalodon tooth was Landyn’s and the alligator jaw belonged to John. The children really responded to this. It made it all a lot more fun for everyone.”

Marchant said one student brought in moose vertebrae, and it helped to further pique the interest of students.

“They all wanted to see and touch it,” Marchant said. “It all helped the lesson.”

This week, Marchant’s class tackles invertebrates.