Fourth grade – Food Chain and Food Webs
Wetland Trail – S4L1, PE4.3, PE4.5 - Students walk around the fishery ponds to the Blackwater Swamp. During the first part of the hike students are challenged to observe the contrast between a sand-hill habitat and a wetland habitat as well as compare and contrast the public fishing ponds with the hatchery ponds. Student observations of flora and fauna add to additional discussion of roles of organisms and the flow of energy within the ecosystem. Once on the board-walked trail, students experience the wetland environment, learn its important contribution to a healthy eco-system.
Binocular Study/Wildlife Viewing - PE4.3, PE4.5, S4L1 - After an instructional session on proper use of binoculars, students will take a short hike in search of various animals (models and live) to observe them within their ecosystem.
Food Chain Model – S4L1 - Using nesting tubes, students will build a model of the food chain of a great horned owl.
Owl Pellet Dissection – S4 L1 - Students will learn the role of owls in the ecosystem and use toothpicks to dissect owl pellets. Students then use a chart to analyze types of bones found to identify the type of prey the owls have consumed.
Discovery Room – S4L1, ELAGSE4RL1, ELAGSE4RI, ELAGSE4RI4, ELAGSE4RI5 - Students rotate through centers and displays which emphasize wildlife characteristics and the role of each within the ecosystem. Students begin with a scavenger hunt for facts using the expository texts located in the display cases. Additional stations may include making leaf rubbings, creating animal tracks, identifying animal furs, using magnifying instruments, and using Mohs hardness scale.
Wheel of Nature – ELAGSE4SL1 - Students participate in a game-style two-team activity. When it is his or her turn, a team-member spins a wheel to determine how much a question is worth. To obtain the points for his side, the student answers the given question. Questions are based on the MEEC curriculum and include habitat features, wildlife adaptations, and identification of animal pictures, pelts, sounds, offspring and tracks. Models and other audio visuals are used to bring questions to life. Team work is encouraged as rules allow students to confer on difficult questions. (Questions are adapted to grade/ability level.)
Wetland Trail – S4L1, PE4.3, PE4.5 - Students walk around the fishery ponds to the Blackwater Swamp. During the first part of the hike students are challenged to observe the contrast between a sand-hill habitat and a wetland habitat as well as compare and contrast the public fishing ponds with the hatchery ponds. Student observations of flora and fauna add to additional discussion of roles of organisms and the flow of energy within the ecosystem. Once on the board-walked trail, students experience the wetland environment, learn its important contribution to a healthy eco-system.
Binocular Study/Wildlife Viewing - PE4.3, PE4.5, S4L1 - After an instructional session on proper use of binoculars, students will take a short hike in search of various animals (models and live) to observe them within their ecosystem.
Food Chain Model – S4L1 - Using nesting tubes, students will build a model of the food chain of a great horned owl.
Owl Pellet Dissection – S4 L1 - Students will learn the role of owls in the ecosystem and use toothpicks to dissect owl pellets. Students then use a chart to analyze types of bones found to identify the type of prey the owls have consumed.
Discovery Room – S4L1, ELAGSE4RL1, ELAGSE4RI, ELAGSE4RI4, ELAGSE4RI5 - Students rotate through centers and displays which emphasize wildlife characteristics and the role of each within the ecosystem. Students begin with a scavenger hunt for facts using the expository texts located in the display cases. Additional stations may include making leaf rubbings, creating animal tracks, identifying animal furs, using magnifying instruments, and using Mohs hardness scale.
Wheel of Nature – ELAGSE4SL1 - Students participate in a game-style two-team activity. When it is his or her turn, a team-member spins a wheel to determine how much a question is worth. To obtain the points for his side, the student answers the given question. Questions are based on the MEEC curriculum and include habitat features, wildlife adaptations, and identification of animal pictures, pelts, sounds, offspring and tracks. Models and other audio visuals are used to bring questions to life. Team work is encouraged as rules allow students to confer on difficult questions. (Questions are adapted to grade/ability level.)
