Near the end of last school year, Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School fourth-grade students in Mrs. Farra, Mrs. Foulkes, Mrs. Nocella and Mrs. Schiralli’s classes worked on a multi-faceted activity to help local dogs at the Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter & Adoption Center find their forever homes. Working alongside their BOCES educational technology coach, Kristina Lomando, the students were tasked with creating persuasive infographics to convince potential pet owners to adopt a specific dog at the shelter.

They began the activity by choosing a dog that was available for adoption and taking note of his or her physical traits, behavior, capabilities and personality. With that information, each student then wrote an opinion piece on why the dog they chose to research should be adopted in an effort to persuade and inform families who may be interested. Lastly, the students took everything they had learned and written about the dogs and applied it onto an eye-catching infographic that they created using Adobe Express and Google Slides.

This activity was an innovative way for students to improve their skills in the fields of digital literacy, visual design and informational writing while also getting an early experience in community service.

“The students’ hard work is moving directly from the classroom into the community to make a tangible difference,” said Ms. Lomando. “Their finished infographics will be displayed prominently on the shelter’s main processing board to assist visiting families as well as featured in official adoption binders used during off-site adoption events and clinics.”

Ms. Lomando also reported that the shelter was thrilled with the exceptional work done by the fourth graders and hopes to continue this collaboration with Woodhull next school year.