Shared Stories: Detroit Wildlife Adaptations Gallery Stroll

Fourth grade students from The James and Grace Lee Boggs School researched adaptations that allow living things to survive on Belle Isle and then visited the island to document evidence of habitat and adpatations. These photos were accompanied by essays that students wrote on the importance of ecological diversity and what these local creatures need to survive. Ms. Jenna Sabolboro tells us, 

“This year, my students and I were working on a unit about the adaptations of living things. We explored simulations in the classroom of environmental factors that might affect populations of living things, and studied different historical events that have changed the species within a place. They learned about how humans can change who lives in their community — including plants and animals. We looked at what species are native to our space — Detroit — and whether the species is thriving or struggling based on different factors.”

She goes on to share that, “Students were able to experience natural spaces existing alongside human communities through field trips to Circle Forest (fall), Rouge Park (winter) and Belle Isle (spring) where we were able to practice plant and animal identification through different seasons with support from community experts and knowledgeable parent volunteers.”

Ms. Jenna and her class presented their photography show at our 2024 Community Forum in May of this year. Students were so impressive sharing the knowledge they gained about the creature they decided to study and document. Words I’d never heard were included in their descriptions and the scientific-ness of the session was great! Students from other schools seemed excited to listen on and learn about species living on Belle Isle and how to take a strong photo. 

“Students proudly invited so many parents and community members to the forum to share in their learning and I hear so many students express nervousness during the preparation process. At the end of the unit — my 4th graders were beaming with pride for the hard work they did, as they told stories of who visited them, what questions where asked and what kinds of things they were able to teach others about Detroit and the living things in our city.”