First-grade, fourth-grade students collaborate on infant care project

First-grade students in Dr. Peaden’s class teamed with fourth-grade students in Ms. Jordan’s class for a hands-on Unit 9 Benchmark Advance Inquiry Project, fostering collaboration between younger and older learners while exploring the needs of infants.

The project tasked mixed-grade groups with researching essential items parents need for a new baby and organizing their findings into a catalogue. Students examined categories including clothing, feeding supplies, safety equipment and nursery furniture. The activity emphasized communication, planning and teamwork across grade levels.

Fourth-graders served as mentors, guiding first-graders through the research and encouraging critical thinking about item priorities for newborns. First-graders contributed creative ideas, helping ensure the catalogues balanced practical needs with appealing designs.

Students designed and assembled their catalogues using Wixie, a digital creativity platform. Groups organized content into sections, added illustrations or images, and wrote descriptions detailing each item’s purpose. The technology integration reinforced digital literacy while enabling polished presentations of their work.

“The collaboration allowed students to learn from one another in meaningful ways,” educators said. “Older students strengthened their leadership skills, while younger students gained confidence in sharing their ideas.”

The project wrapped up with group presentations to classmates. Students explained their choices, highlighted the importance of each item and demonstrated their grasp of how families prepare for a newborn. The presentations also built public speaking skills and clear communication.

Teachers noted strong student engagement, with enthusiasm high for both the real-world topic and the cross-grade partnership. The focus on needs versus wants and caregiving responsibilities helped connect classroom learning to everyday family life.

This collaborative effort supports Department of War Education Activity priorities by promoting critical thinking, communication and peer learning — skills that help prepare students to contribute thoughtfully to their communities and nation. By blending research, technology and intergenerational teamwork, the project delivered a well-rounded experience linking academics to real-life applications.