Rainforest Day in Peck's Kindergarten

Peck’s youngest students invited special guests from home to spend the afternoon with them during one of the most highly anticipated days of the year in kindergarten.

On May 15, the big room and both playgrounds were magically transformed into rainforest habitats by our imaginative kindergarten teachers. After spending the past two months studying rainforest plants and animals, students had the chance to experience what a day in the rainforest might actually feel like.
Kindergartners squealed with excitement (and disgust!) as they interacted with all kinds of scaly and slimy creatures during an animal showcase presented by Snakes-N-Scales, a New Jersey-based educational entertainment group that rescues turtles, snakes, and even bearded dragons.

Students also made their way outside to the playground, where Peck’s very own Chef Joe Mirra served dragon fruit and pink pineapples–tasty exotic fruits that naturally grow in the rainforest. Not only did students learn how delicious these fruits taste, but also how important their role is in the ecosystem, as the tops of these wondrous plants provide shelter to frog eggs.

“This is hands-on learning at its best,” says Kindergarten Teacher Kristin Young. “Nothing compares to the experience of feeling the tough shell of a giant tortoise, seeing the blue tongue of the skink, or feeling the smooth and slick scales of the snake. Our students also got to talk about things like camouflage and defensive traits with reptile experts, bringing concepts they’ve been studying in the classroom to life in a memorable and meaningful way.” 

Finally, our little explorers—with clipboards in hand, special guests by their side, and bellies full of Chef Joe’s tasty treats—embarked on a rainforest-themed scavenger hunt across the big playground. As students searched for rainforest animals hidden throughout the space by their teachers, they crossed discoveries off their checklists while identifying creatures alongside their special guests.