"Lots of people talk to animals, not to many listen - that's the problem"  Winnie the Pooh
 

AWRE presented our educational program at St. Timothy Lutheran School to Ms. Yvonne E. Walker's third grade class. The response we got was very enthusiastic and encouraging.  She has graciously allowed us to post her thank you letter on our site.

Dear Wildlife Rescue and Education,

Seeing pictures of Archimedes, a female Saw Whet owl, and hearing of her rescue and ensuing loving care by Kim and David (two of our board members) really stirred the interest of my third grade class. They knew of the help Kim and David gave her in adapting to her environment, even though blind.

David offered to bring Archimedes to my class. The excitement and anticipation of seeing her was tremendous. The children began researching in the encyclopedias for the information about Saw Whet owls. The information was limited and difficult to find, so the eagerly learned how to cross-reference until they were successful as the available information allowed.

During the visit the children were so interested that they listened intently and followed each instruction given. When allowed, due to excellent behavior, to gently touch the owl the did exactly as they were told and were in complete awe.

After the visit, I asked the class to write three paragraphs, consisting of at least three or four sentences each, about what they had learned. The results were amazing. Most of the children had been having a bit of difficulty paragraphing and writing complete, interesting sentences. These mini-reports were an educational success.

The following skill sets were greatly enhanced as a result of this exercise:

• Listening
• Learning
• Retaining
• Sentence writing
• Paragraphing
• Researching
• Cross-referencing
• Reporting information

The children were eager to thank "Mr. David" and "Mrs. Kim" so they learned correct friendly letter form and writing. The sweet thank you letters again demonstrated the enormous learning that had taken place. It gave them the opportunity to express their gratitude and eagerness for a return visit. They asked if, perhaps, he could bring other wild creatures to class.

I am quite positive that the wonderful letter David wrote to the class enforced their sense of caring for nature and its creatures, keeping the world clean, and showing kindness to living beings.

Gratefully and appreciatively,

Yvonne E. Walker

Teacher, Grade Three

St. Timothy Lutheran School

Take a look at some of the responses of the children in Mrs. Walker's class.

If you would like AWRE to come to your classroom or organization, please submit our educational presentation form or send us mail at awre@outlook.com