Brett Wilson

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In this issue of classroom spotlight, we take a look at the menagerie of animals in Mr. Bekker’s classroom. Generally, animals in school classrooms are hard to take care of, annoying, require attention, and are more or less troublesome. Yet, they are enjoyable little critters, and  great examples for instructive purposes.

Having had a variety of animals in the past, Mr. Bekker has continued his classroom “experiment” with a few new species, including Harry the spider and that one evil iguana that had bitten him last year. Mr. Bekker said “I remember when I was in eighth grade that my friends and I would help take care of the heavy, yet enjoyable, burden, often feed the reptiles their daily dose of crickets. That’s when I overcame my insect phobias and arachnophobic tendancies.”

Mr. Bekker has expanded his zoological realm to include a tortoise, Monty, one that eats lettuce and other varieties of vegetables instead of the creepy crawlies.

Sadly, at the beginning of this year, the beloved bearded dragon passed away, the one who often accompanied us in our studies by sitting on our desk. Now he is replaced with another dragon, which, unfortunately, has multiple names because Mr. Bekker has multiple classes.

The anoles, or small lizards, have continued on from last year, the little camouflaging critters thriving. Generally,

they eat crickets, but will eat a variety of other insects if prompted. The fish also still have a place in his class, a variety of species, but mostly goldfish.

Mr. Bekker’s zoo-like style of teaching has spread to other teachers, including Mr. Goodhart who has adopted a snake, a salamander which I have personally named Jericho and a plethora of goldfish. I know it is sometimes distracting, but it definitely provides a relief to a sometimes stressful academic environment.