“Wow!  What a presentation!  I learned so much!  My favorite was the hissing cockroach … The snakes sort of scared me, but I think I got over my fears.  Thank you so much for that really fun and exciting presentation!”  Amaliah L.

“I really enjoyed the presentation.  Watching you hold the animals so calmly and carefully helped let me know that even though they may look scary, they are pretty cool.  I am also going to take your advice and next time I see a crawler around my house, I will carefully bring it back outside.”  Mikayla O. 

“I appreciate that you went through all the trouble to come to our class and help us understand these special creatures … Thinking about what you said, I think all the animals you showed, and all the animals in the world should be respected and given their own space.”  Daniel R.

“Thank you for coming to show us the “Villains or Victims?” presentation … I think it was a good idea to point out how many of those animals aren’t treated fairly.”  Miranda M. 

“Thank you for showing us your presentation, “Villains or Victims?”  I really enjoyed it.  As you hoped it would, it changed how I and others feel about some of the animals.”  Lindsay

“I really wanted to thank you for bringing in the tarantula.  I have always been scared of spiders … I was the one who jumped out of my seat when you brought it close … Next time I see a spider, I don’t think I will be as scared as I was before.  So, thank you again!”  Kaylie G. 

“Thank you so much for coming into our classroom and presenting us with all those exotic animals.  I enjoyed seeing the fire-bellied newt … the color of its belly is so bright!  Once again, thank you so much for bringing in these unique animals.  I can’t wait to learn more about them!”  Sydney S.

“I really enjoyed the show.  I would like to request that you tell the principal that the animals are safe to touch if you are to come here again.  I appreciate what you are doing.”  Adam L. 

“Thanks for helping me with some of my fears … I hope that I can see you showing more students, so they can see and learn what I have from the experience.”  Molly M.

“We really learned a lot about the misunderstood animals that you brought with you.  And, as you hoped, it changed my opinion about these animals.  Thank you again!”  Chloe 

“Thank you for coming all the way from Eastern Nazarene College to show us your presentation.  It was cool to see all the snakes, lizards, amphibians, the tarantula, and the hissing cockroaches.  I learned so many things that I didn’t know about the animals.”  Alex C. 

“Thanks for everything … that was so cool!  And I think I would like to try that some day, so thanks.”  Rhiana M.

“Some of the snakes were a little scary, but now I know some aren’t poisonous to us, I feel better about snakes now.”  Krysten 

“Thank you so much for showing us not to be afraid of any animal … If you guys didn’t come with those animals, I would probably freak out when I encountered one of them.  Thank you.”  John C.

“I loved the presentation!  My favorite animal was the bearded dragon.  All of them were very interesting and I think it was a step in the right direction of having people get over their fears.”  Nick 

“I had a great educational experience yesterday.  I really appreciate that you came all the way from Quincy.  I loved all of the reptiles … I had a fun day and really appreciated your time.”  Michael F.

“Thank you very much for coming to our school.  My favorite animal was the ball python, because it’s cool how he can just roll up like a ball.”  Jared S. 

“Thank you for bringing in all of your animals.  I really enjoyed learning about them.  My favorite was the bearded dragon and the fire-bellied newt.  I learned a lot about all of them and that they are not dangerous or scary.”  Jessica G.

“Thank you for bringing in all those animals … If you do the presentation again next year, the kids would really like it.”  Chris C. 

“It was a pleasure to have you come and show some animals to our class … It was nice of you to come all the way from Eastern Nazarene College.  Thanks for coming, I had fun and learned a lot.”  Jeremy

“I think your presentation was a very interesting one, and I thank you for going to our school to show us all of the ‘Villains and Victims’.  I think you did a great job and I just wanted to show my appreciation …” Michael F.

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Dear Professor Twining:

On behalf of our seventh grade “Blue Team” at the Gordon W. Mitchell Middle School in East Bridgewater, I would like to thank you and your student assistant, Nicole Heath, for your live animal presentation from Eastern Nazarene College entitled “Victims or Villains?” on June 4, 2008.  After giving facts and misconceptions regarding the animals, as well as offering input from the students, you allowed students to ponder this question. By first showing the invertebrates and, then, the vertebrates, discussing each of the animal’s phyla, and characteristics of that group, this presentation was a wonderful way for my students to review their recent study of the animal kingdom.

I have long believed that hands-on learning is the best teaching methodology. With the use of live animals to teach concepts, this presentation “fits the bill!”

Many of my students related to me that they thought they would be fearful of the live animals so close to them in the classroom, but after your carefully scripted discussion and the way you handled the animals, they learned a great deal about the animals and felt comfortable in the same room with them. In particular, one student, who experiences arachnophobia, was told that she could leave the room when the spider was presented if she wished. However, due to your professional manner, she did not feel the need and told me she now feels a bit easier about being in the presence of tarantulas.

I look forward to having you back next year to do a similar presentation in my life science classroom. I highly recommend your presentation to other groups.

Sincere thanks,
Carol Baird Molander
Life Science Teacher, Grade 7