ISS/Alternative Classroom teacher David Prather recently shared his reptile collection with Mrs. Houghton and Mrs. Hemry’s second grade classes at Searcy Elementary.
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ISS/Alternative Classroom teacher David Prather recently shared his reptile collection with Mrs. Houghton and Mrs. Hemry’s second grade classes at Searcy Elementary. The snake he is holding in the picture is a five and a half foot Burmese Python. He also brought along a corn snake and a packman frog (Argentine Horn Frog).
Mr. Prather taught science for 13 years and found the reptiles to be useful for classroom discussion and demonstration.
“It’s a great way for the students to learn about genetics, classifications and characteristics of all animals,” said Mr. Prather. “The students seem to enjoy the lesson more when you have something in your hands.”
Mr. Prather tries to dispel various myths about snakes while explaining the many ways they benefit the environment.
Mr. Prater has several different kinds of corn snakes in his collection along with a King Snake. He has a veiled Chameleon lizard – the kind that shoot their tongue out – and a bearded dragon. Over the years he has had iguanas, pythons, rosy boas, and quite a variety of tarantulas.
This school year Mr. Prather has visited the fourth, fifth and sixth grades at Searcy Elementary and plans to visit the first and third graders in the future. He has also taken his collection to visit area daycare centers.
Mr. Prather said he helped at least one student overcome her fear of snakes. In the beginning she wasn’t able to even look at a snake. Eventually she came to the point she was able to hold one in her hands.