It’s a small world after all

Students at St. Christopher School took a trip around the world last week and they didn’t even leave their school gymnasium.

A large, inflatable globe was set up in the school on Feb. 26 for an assembly. Brent Wick, from Mobile Ed Productions, traveled to Baldwin to lead St. Christopher students in an educational discussion about the earth, its seven continents and the different biomes that make countries unique. The globe was made up from 178 photos from space and is fit to scale.

Led by Mary Jo Saint Surin, a parent of a seventh grader at the school, money was raised in recent months to hold the assembly. It was originally scheduled for earlier this winter, but was postponed once due to presenter illness and a second time due to inclement weather. But the third time was the charm. “It makes me feel that this is a positive thing that we parents can do for the kids,” Saint Surin said.

Students were broken into groups based on grade levels and helped answer questions that Wick posed based on the country he was discussing.

In a presentation for first and second graders, students learned about the Amazon Rainforest, Africa and the Nile River and Australia. They then went inside the inflatable globe to hear about Antarctica.

Principal Anne Lederer said the presentation was a great way to reinforce what students learn in the classroom in a fun and engaging way. “We’re always looking for ways to take the learning a step beyond,” she said. “They’re all enjoying it, but they’re learning.

“It’s a great way for children to realize that learning goes beyond just what’s in a textbook,” she said.