Making masks which represent a chosen species evokes emotional ties and leads students to want to know more about their species. It can also lead, through activity and study, to the celebration of Earth Day and an All Species Parade. Starting in September, students keep a journal on their creature, including newspaper articles, observation notes, haikus, raps, and so on. Armed with knowledge, students can then form a creature congress or council of species to vote on hypothetical human propositions. The vote comes out differently when ballots are cast from other species' perspectives.
Improvisational theater emerges as the animals begin to speak to each other.
As the students become comfortable with their acting roles, they can begin writing and performing short skits on the environmental problems the animals face. These skits fit nicely into an Earth Day celebration in which each class performs for the whole school, parents and community. The masks and the making of costumes, flags, banners, and signs lead naturally to the All Species Parade, which you may want to take into the community surrounding the school. Non-motorized floats and giant puppets can be created for the parade. A float could represent a prairie, forest or a coral reef environment.