Sheridan Elementary fourth-graders Vyvianna Otero and her cousin Alfredo Rivera tried on their arctic boots and hat while preparing their classroom last Wednesday. The only problem was Vyvianna couldn't get the boots off, and needed some help.
Christopher Hankins/chankins@dailyherald.com
If you think it's cold in Chicago, imagine how it must be in the Arctic Circle.
Last week, fourth-graders at Sheridan Elementary School in Elgin got a glimpse of Arctic life courtesy of their teacher, Ani Smith.
Smith spent some time in the Arctic Circle thanks to a Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship Program provided by the National Geographic Education Programs and Lindblad Expeditions.
One of Smith's requirements for the project was to bring back what she learned to the classroom.
Smith and five other teachers spent a week in late June and early July on an icebreaker cruise ship, traversing the Svalbard archipelago, a group of Norwegian islands in the Arctic Circle. Smith and her fellow teachers documented the unique ecology, climate, geography and culture of the islands.
Sheridan Elementary fourth-graders Jalen Dunner, left, and Ayde Ontiveros make foam necklaces shaped like the sun as part of the Svalbard Sun Festival display in their classroom Wednesday. Their teacher, Ani Smith spent some time in the Arctic Circle thanks to a teacher fellowship program.
Christopher Hankins/chankins@dailyherald.com
Brrrr! Students submerged their hands in icy water for several seconds to mimic the conditions often felt in the Arctic Circle.
Christopher Hankins/chankins@dailyherald.com
Jazlynn Mendoza, left, and Joslyn Mendoza explain the eating habits of seals to some younger students last week as classes toured the Arctic Circle created by students in Ani Smiths fourth-grade class. Smith, a teacher at Sheridan Elementary School in Elgin, and five other teachers spent a week in late June and early July on an icebreaker cruise ship, traversing the Svalbard archipelago, a group of Norwegian islands in the Arctic Circle.
Christopher Hankins/chankins@dailyherald.com