Second graders from Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School held their annual Balloons Over Roosevelt Parade on Nov. 21. The parade served as a culmination to the science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) project the classes had been working on and was the perfect way to celebrate the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
Leading up to the event, second grade classes read, “Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade” by Melissa Sweet. Through the book, the students learned the true story of puppeteer Tony Sarg and how he made the first parade balloons for the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.
The second graders chose an animal to research and were challenged to design their own balloons. They worked in groups to plan, pick out materials and construct their creations. The students also researched their animal topic and created posters with fun facts about their animal.
Second grade teachers chose a nonfiction theme for the parade to connect the reading and writing curriculum and to develop students’ research and nonfiction reading and writing skills. This was a STEAM project that was a true collaboration of creativity and critical thinking for the second graders.
On the day of the parade, Theodore Roosevelt pre-K, kindergarten and first grade students, staff members and administrators gathered outside the school to serve as spectators as the second graders proudly showcased their creations and paraded around the school’s field.
Date Added: 11/27/2023