South Elementary first graders just wrapped up a human body unit as part of the school’s new English Language Arts (ELA) Knowledge curriculum, and they had a special guest join them to celebrate! Ashley Jaspers, a Family Nurse Practitioner at Mayo Clinic Health System – Eastridge Family Medicine, stopped by to share her fun, hands-on "Nose to Toes" program.
South’s new ELA knowledge curriculum focuses on building content knowledge, learning and applying new vocabulary, and reading with accuracy and fluency to boost comprehension. Mrs. Jaspers helped bring the first graders’ classroom learning to life by showing students the real tools she uses every day on the job. The kids got an up-close look at stethoscopes, otoscopes, eye scopes, reflex hammers, and even real X-rays. She also led a great activity that demonstrated how our respiratory and circulatory systems team up to deliver oxygen through the bloodstream.
“We want to send a huge thank-you to Nurse Jaspers for taking the time to visit, sharing her expertise, and helping our first graders see their new vocabulary and reading lessons in action,” South Principal Jana Sykora said.
Above and below are some photo highlights from Nurse Jasper's visit!
Ashley Jaspers demonstrating on “Bluey” how muscles and bones work together
Ashley Jaspers with her first grade son, Grayson (and Bluey - the skeleton!)