Dinosaurs Being Used As A Teaching Tool

At P.S. 221, one kindergarten class got special help this year with learning their lessons from some prehistoric friends.
North Shore Towers resident Julie Weissman has been a teacher at the Little Neck school for 20 years now. She took over for Eneas Arkawy, also a Towers resident, who had taught Weissman’s son. When he was in class, Arkawy’s class, he had learned songs about dinosaurs.
“When Eneas retired I took over for her and I remembered those songs and they just kind of grew into a big thematic unit,” Weissman said.
Weissman created lessons for all subjects around them, adding more each year. During the three-week-long session, students used the dinosaurs for math, to write and to do art.
“Every year it seemed to grow,” said Weissman, adding that she receives help from the students’ parents as well.
After the three weeks, the students hold a performance where they have colored dinosaurs and sing about the prehistoric creatures.
Five-year-old Nicholas Ahn said that he only knew a little about dinosaurs before Weissman’s class but now knows a lot and really likes them. His favorite is the T-rex.
Classmate Lucia Reza, also five, said that her favorite part of the classes was painting them and that doing the show at the end was a lot of fun. Even though she said the T-rex is very scary, it is still her favorite kind of dinosaur.
Weissman said that dinosaurs are an effective teaching tool because all children love them and seem to be fascinated with them. She said that the children all worked very hard during the dinosaur-themed lessons and that seeing the expressions on the children’s faces in the best part for her.
“They’re so proud to show off all they learned in front of their parents,” she said. “They’re really just bursting with pride.”
Weissman has lived at the Towers for about two years. She is an active tennis player and gym member. She said that she has met many great people through such activities.