Rivers, Creeks and Ponds; A Summer Project
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This begins the Phase II or investigation section of the project.
The class started work on making a pond just outside of the classroom in the garden. The pond consisted of an old green plastic child's sandbox. To make it more natural looking, the children decided to dig a hole to set it in. Everyone helped and took turns. Once in place, rocks and other hiding places were added as well as some water hyacinths. Water dechlorination drops were added too. This gives the children a place to put some of the specimens they bring back to observe. An indoor aquarium was also set up for the same purpose.
We also began a chart for comparing the different bodies of water we visited and plan on visiting. Children generated the headings to use for comparison. A scale of 1 to 10 was set to record the trash noticed and the clarity of the water. Other headings are; PH, Types of Animals and Plants, width and depth.
- Science- Gather and question data from many different forms of scientific investigations which include reviewing appropriate print resources, observing what things are like or what is happening somewhere, collecting specimens for analysis, and doing experiments.
- Science- Classify a variety of animals and plants according to their observable features and provide reasons for placing them into different groups.
- Math- Collect organize and display data- Organize and display data to make pictographs using a variety of scales- Use scales of 2:1, 4:1, or 10:1 and whole numbers (0 – 100)
Week Two
Tuesday we went to Paint Branch Creek.We went there to investigate on creeks and to get specimens and samples.We were wading in the creek.We saw some poison ivy on our way back to the awesome, great CYC! Some people put their fish in our pond with the fish from our other field trip, but some people put it in our indoor aquarium tank. -Seo Young
There was a fish stuck in between two pieces of wood (at the Paint Branch Creek) and I called the teacher to come and help me get it out and he kicked the piece of wood over and the fish swam out. I saw it swim away but I could not catch it. It looked to be about 12 inches long. -Jivan
Children identified some of our minnows as Chubs and one as a type of Sculpin from the Eyes of Paint Branch web site and field guides available in the classroom. Some of the minnows were difficult to identify and it took two or three sources before a type was agreed upon.
We stopped in the SPH building to cool off during our walk back from the pond. The temperature was in the 90's! Do you like our fish faces?
Questions We Came Up With About Rivers, Creeks and Ponds.
- Why are rivers bigger than creeks?
- When were rivers and creeks invented (formed)?
- Why are creeks so shallow?
- Do lily pads grow in creeks?
- Why are ponds so muddy?
- Do rivers have more animals than creeks?
- How can you tell how old a pond, creek or river is?
- Why did my fish die?
- How can fish keep their eyes open when the water is muddy?
- How do you know if it is a male or female fish?
- Was that claw I found from a lobster or crawfish?
Blue Minnows in Shark Alley:
A game to play in the swimming pool
by Jivan and Ulito
Rule 1-You need at least three people. You need at least two people to be minnows and one to be a shark.
Rule 2-If you get out of the water you have one minute to breath air, but after that you have to return to the water. When one minute is up you can stay on dry land only if you hold your breath, or have any body part in the water such as your foot or hand.
Rule 3- There are four different kinds of sharks. One is a Bull shark, one is a Lantern Shark, one is Great White and the other is a Megalodon (prehistoric Great White). Only the biggest kids or grown ups get to be the Megalodons.
Rule 4-Inside of the lap lines is where the Bull sharks live. The Great White and Megalodon live in the deepest water. In the shallow water is where the Blue Minnows live. The baby pool is where the Lantern Sharks live. Little kids in the baby pool are poisonous frogs or Lantern Sharks and if they touch you, you are poisoned or bitten and your friend has to help you. If your friend does not help you within 30 seconds, you DIE and become a shark.
Rule 5- You cannot let other swimmers, that are in the deep end, that count as sharks, but are not actually playing, see you. If they see you they attack you and your friend must help you within 30 seconds or you DIE and become a shark.
Rule 6- How to help your friend: You touch where the shark has bitten you or where you were poisoned.
Rule 7- If your pool has a diving board you can jump off it and be cured if a shark bites you. To win the game you must be the last one alive.