Grade 4 Sees Science in a New Way
In a recent science lesson, fourth graders had the chance to examine the world through the eyes of another animal—literally! As part of their unit on animal senses and adaptations, students participated in a sheep eye dissection to better understand how vision helps animals survive in their environments.
Led by Lower School Science Teacher Ms. Elise de Geus, the activity gave fourth graders an up-close look at the parts of the eye, including the cornea, iris, pupil, and lens. As they explored each structure, they made connections to their own eyesight and considered how animals’ eyes are specially designed to help them in the wild.
A highlight of the lesson was discovering the "tapetum lucidum," a reflective layer in the back of the eye that improves night vision. Students were quick to connect this to the glowing eyes they’ve seen in animals at night—something many had observed but never understood until now.
The dissection gave fourth graders a meaningful way to deepen their classroom learning by thinking like scientists—asking questions, making observations, and exploring how animals adapt to their environments.
Well done, Grade 4 scientists!
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
