Students will investigate a pond or stream using sampling techniques. They will observe wildlife and pH levels in the water collected to determine if it is a healthy habitat. The students' love and curiosity for the outdoors will be the motivating force behind this lesson.
Do we have any bodies of water in our community?
Is our community healthy?
Where are they located?
How many aquatic creatures did you find?
Is the water healthy?
What type of body of water is it?
What can we learn about our community from the water?
What is living in the water?
Gathering Data - The students will assess the quality of a stream or pond based on indicators of pH, water temperature and the presence of a diversity of organisms.
Identification - The students will be able to identify several aquatic organisms.
pHWorsheet1
This will show pH and temperatures that animals can live in.
Identification BooksLehmkuhl, D.M. 1979. How to know the aquatic insects. Wm. C.Brown Co., Dubuque, IA. 168 pp. Comments: 1) Spiral bound guide to families of aquatic insects. 2) Best introductory guide
pHWorksheet2This could be used as a data record sheet for temperature and pH levels.
Wildlife Survey-primaryThis will be used to record data.
Water Quality KitThese are called Hydrion or Hach kits. pH testers and thermometers will also be used.
Water Habitats Form
Aquatic Project Wild
This book contains many extension activities.
Have each student draw and label the animals on student worksheet 1 and then return the animals to where they were found.
The students will test pH level of water and record its temperature.
The students should share their results and discuss if a lot of different organisms were found (diversity) which would indicate a healthy environment.
Place the animals in clear jars or white flat trays for observation. Remind the students to add new water and keep animals cool.
While observing the water (above and below), the students should collect as many different forms of wildlife as possible.
The students will identify local bodies of water using a local map.
In the past,Canaries were often used in coal mines to alert workers of dangerous fumes since they were more sensitive than man to these conditions. Today the presence or absence of organisms in water can tell us whether or not the quality of water is healthy. A healthy water habitat includes a wide range of creatures just as the presence of few aquatic creatures implies a poor water environment. Pollution reduces the quality of water and the diversity of wildlife. Sometimes it increases one particular life form, but the diversity goes down.
This is a hands on activity where the teacher will truly be a facilitator. Select a site for a class field trip to take water samples. Be sure to discuss guidelines for sampling and safety procedures. Old shoes and jeans should be worn (you will want to have an extra set of shoes and clothing at school). A shallow pond or slow creek would be best. You may want to model each activity for the students. After discussing the diversity of aquatic life found, assist students in finding the pH and temperature of water and air. Water quality kits may be borrowed from a high school biology teacher or a company that deals with scientific supplies. They are called hydrion kits or Hach Kits. Guide students to understand that pH, water and air temperature affect the diversity of life found in the environment. You may want to extend this activity by visiting several more sites. Contact your state wildlife agency's aquatic education and Project WILD coordinator, or the Izaak Walton League to see if there is an "Adopt a Stream" project in your area.
Activity Duration:
30 minutes to collect samples.
20 minutes to draw and label animals.
30 minutes to share observations
20 minutes to find and record temperatures and pH levels.
15 minutes of discussion to determine if this is a healthy or unhealthy environment.
9:30 Leave Southeast
9:40-10:10 Meet as a group
Predict air temperature, water temperature, and pH level of stream
10:10-10:40 (approximately) Break into small groups
Group leaders take students down to stream
Students collect wildlife if possible
Fill out chart on every animal found
Take plastic jars to meeting place to share animals
Some groups will take the temperature and pH levels of water
10:40 Meet as a whole group-bring animals if you can
Hot chocolate/snack
Each group will share data
Each group may share animals
What did we learn?
11:10 Release wildlife to where you found it!
11:15 Board bus
Feel free to look for wildlife anywhere in the Rentie Grove area. (not just aquatic wildlife)
Other activities you may enjoy with your group- identify tracks, find something in nature that is the same color as you are wearing. Listen...What sounds do you hear?
Restrooms are located in cafeteria if needed.
Have fun! Get messy!
Our class field trip to Rentie Grove has been scheduled for Friday morning October 30.
We plan to leave around 9:00 and return by 11:30. Rentie Grove is located in between East Middle and East Elementary school. WE NEED LOTS OF PARENTS TO JOIN US! 10 parents would be fantastic!- Please let me know ASAP if you would like to join us.
Activities will include:
gathering/collecting aquatic wildlife
identifying wildlife
sorting wildlife
outdoor games
testing pH of stream water
taking digital pictures
WHAT TO WEAR: (students and parents- shoes will get wet and muddy)
old long pants
old shoes
old socks
jackets (probably will be cool in the morning)
WHAT TO BRING:
clear jars (plastic- all sizes)
nets
buckets
wildlife identification books
magnifying glasses
trays
Each student will need to bring a change of clothes, socks, and shoes for after our field trip.
VOLUNTEERS:
We will need one large container of water with soap to wash our hands.
If someone would like to bring a container of hot chocolate for a snack to warm everyone, you would be greatly appreciated!
Blankets to sit/rest on
Old towels
9:30 Leave Southeast
9:40-10:10 Meet as a group
Predict air temperature, water temperature, and pH level of stream
Place old sock over shoe
walk through field to collect seeds on sock
turn sock inside out
Place sock inside bag
10:10-10:40 (approximately) Break into small groups
Group leaders take students down to stream
Students collect wildlife if possible
Fill out chart on every animal found
Take plastic jars to meeting place to share animals
Some groups will take the temperature and pH levels of water
10:40 Meet as a whole group-bring animals if you can
Hot chocolate/snack
Each group will share data
Each group may share animals
What did we learn?
11:10 Release wildlife to where you found it!
11:15 Board bus
*Students have practiced gathering this kind of data.
Students need to fill out chart for every animal found.
Please make sure students are not in or near deep water.
Please watch your group at all times.
Feel free to look for wildlife anywhere in the Rentie Grove area. (not just aquatic wildlife)
Other activities you may enjoy with your group- identify tracks, find something in nature that is the same color as you are wearing. Listen...What sounds do you hear?
Restrooms are located in cafeteria if needed.
Have fun! Get messy! Thank you so much for giving your time!
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