Critters Great and Small Visit Desert Vista Elementary School

APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. - Dec. 12, 2019 - PRLog -- Members from the Arizona Humane Society and Phoenix Zoo recently visited Caerensa Klauss' fifth grade classroom at Desert Vista Elementary School, 3701 E. Broadway Ave. in Apache Junction.

The humans weren't the only guests – they brought a variety of critters with them. Students learned about Madagascar hissing cockroaches, blue tongued skinks, a hedgehog, tortoises the regal Chinese water dragon and more.

"It was a very engaging and informative program," said Caerensa Klauss, who was recently named Teacher of the Year for K-5 students by VFW Post 7968 in Apache Junction. "Plus the kids really had a blast!"

Prior to the visit the students researched and wrote animal reports. Ms. Klauss specifically reached out to the Phoenix Zoo so the students could see the actual animals they wrote about and be offered a hands-on experience that would better help them commit their theoretical research to long-term memory.

There were other benefits.

According to an article by Nicole Forsythe from One Green Planet, "talking about animals provides students an ideal forum to practice the skills they will need in the 21^st century, such as listening, perspective-taking and critical thinking; skills business leaders claim are missing in the workforce."

Desert Vista is a Be Kind school where each day students and staff practice the 10 tenets that make a difference in the lives of others. Each day DVES students proudly share how they actively demonstrate their kindness to others by being respectful, being compassionate, or simply by being a friend!

Registration is currently underway for the 2020 school year. For more information about AJUSD schools call 480-982-1110, or visit www.ajusd.org.