At E.R. Martin School, first grade classrooms recently transformed into something extraordinary. What began months ago as a research unit evolved into a museum-style learning experience where students became experts, storytellers, and teachers themselves.
As part of Arc Core Unit 2, focused on wild and endangered animals, first grade students spent weeks building knowledge through reading, writing, observation, and discussion. Starting in October, each student selected an animal to study and dove deeply into understanding its world. They explored physical characteristics, behaviors, habitats, diets, and survival challenges. Along the way, students expanded their academic vocabulary, confidently using terms like carnivore, herbivore, omnivore, predator, and prey to explain what they had learned.
“We are having our end-of-unit showcase for our wild and endangered animals unit,” said first grade teacher Victoria Graybell. “Students have been learning everything they can about animals and nature. They created writing pieces and illustrations about individual animals, and they can tell you all about everything they learned.”
Rather than keeping this work confined to notebooks, the first grade team collaborated to reimagine how students could share their learning. Inspired by a desire to honor students’ effort, teachers transformed journal entries into trifold poster displays that brought research to life.
“We’ve been doing Arc Core for a few years, and students usually write in their journals,” Graybell explained. “Ms. Allen suggested creating a more fun way to showcase all the work they’ve done. Using the trifold boards allowed everything to be in one place and made their learning visible.”
The result was a museum walk that invited the entire school community into the learning process. Administrators, specialists, speech therapists, interventionists, kindergarten teachers, upper-grade classes, siblings, and district staff were all welcomed to tour the displays. As visitors moved through the room, students stood proudly beside their projects, explaining their research and answering questions with confidence.
“My students spent six to eight weeks researching wild and endangered animals,” said first grade teacher Madison Allen. “Now they’re presenting it in a museum gallery-type display. I really hope they’re proud of their work and excited to share everything they’ve done.”
The experience emphasized far more than content knowledge. Students practiced researching independently and in groups, using both library books and iPads. They strengthened writing skills, handwriting, spelling, and organization while learning how to gather information, synthesize ideas, and present findings clearly.
“They worked independently and collaboratively,” said first grade teacher Anne Contrestan. “They were assigned topics, conducted research on their own, and learned how to put everything together. I hope they gain confidence in themselves and realize they can do hard things.”
What made the showcase especially powerful was how intentionally it honored students as capable learners. For many first graders, this was their first experience presenting extended research to an authentic audience. Standing beside their work, answering questions, and teaching others reinforced that their ideas have value and that learning is something to be shared, not just completed.
The project also reflected a strong culture of collaboration at Martin School. Teachers worked together to design a shared experience, while students learned from one another through observation, conversation, and curiosity. Older students visiting the gallery caught a glimpse of what is possible, while younger learners saw a vision of who they can become.
Most importantly, the experience planted a seed. By building confidence early, students are more likely to continue asking questions, exploring interests, and seeing themselves as researchers and problem solvers. At E.R. Martin School, learning is about creating moments that stay with students and help them grow into confident, curious learners for years to come.