These third graders learned about Bigfoot, and then decided to make a movie about the creatures.
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A group of third-graders at Perkett Elementary have spent the school year in pursuit of the truth about a mythical beast: Bigfoot.
It all started last fall when students Jacob Theis, Gavin Argent, Calvin Baker, Brooklyn Benno and Ana Morelli read some books about the legend of the yeti. The kids, who meet once a week with gifted and talented program teacher Sally Jenkins, decided to delve further into the legends around the world surrounding the creature.
They learned that most of the supposed sightings of the large, hairy bipedal humanoid have been in the Pacific Northwest, and also learned that there are different names for the ape-like creature, including "yeti." Jenkins used their interest to teach the students about the importance of critical thinking, of reliable sources, and not to believe everything they read in books or newspapers or on the Internet.
Eventually the children decided to make their own movie about the Bigfoot myth. Brooklyn explained that she wrote a script about a news crew herself and Ana who investigate a report of a Bigfoot sighting by two men, played by Gavin and Jacob.
"We all liked it, but we needed to change some stuff," said Brooklyn, who explained that the script required some revision and spelling corrections before it was ready.
The students paid careful attention to the material they used in their movie. Brooklyn said it was important to them to use only real facts so that people can believe what they say.
Next came the costumes.
"My mom made the costumes," said Gavin. "She went to Jo-Ann Fabrics and got some hairy fabric and she sewed it together and then it was the Bigfoot." They enlisted the help of a teacher to make an authentic looking Bigfoot footprint outside.
Jenkins said the kids filmed the movie on the side of the school where there are some trees to make it look like a wooded area. They uploaded the movie to a private link at Youtube, where it can be seen by their parents and relatives. They even had a chance to talk via Skype with a real television producer who gave them tips on making their video even better.
Their work on the video met language arts standards. They learned a bit about the scientific method as well as critical thinking skills.
After a year of research, the kids have decided the stories about Bigfoot are probably more fiction than fact.
"I don't think that there is a Bigfoot," said Brooklyn.
After all, if there really was a Bigfoot, scientists should have found some trace of the creature by now with all the advanced technology that exists, said Calvin. On the other hand, Jenkins said the kids also have learned that scientists are always discovering new things. It could be they just haven't found Bigfoot yet.
Jenkins said the children have also worked on other projects this year, including the beginnings of algebra, but the Bigfoot video was their big project.
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