3rd Grade
Environmental Education/Fish Release Day at Patapsco State Park: (Held: 5/10/13, 5/8/12, 4/29/11, with mixed grade levels on 4/23/10) The third grade field trip to Patapsco State Park has evolved greatly in the past couple of years, covering much more than releasing the classroom-raised fish into the river. Activities now include the students seining the bottom of the river then closely examining what they find and identifying the macro-invertebrates, discussions of how macro-invertebrates can indicate health of the river, students systematically analyzing of the quality of the river, a strenuous hike and discussion of the various ecosystems encountered, and games and discussions about run-off and pollution. Some older students who participated in the fish release field trips when they were Hillcrest students regularly assist with the activities and provide role-modeling and outdoor leadership. Approximately 110 students from the third grade, 5 teachers, and 30 parents participate in this day each year.
Eco-Detectives: Nature Recycles/Humans Recycle/Not Recyclable- Students were asked to think back to the trash they threw away at lunch and the materials they recycled. Students sort through a box of materials brought in by the teacher to determine what can be recycled by humans and what cannot. They then go outside for a walk to see what materials they can find that nature could recycle (they know this based on previous investigations before this lesson) and what ends up in nature that cannot be recycled. Students then sort the found items into a chart, while discussing each item. The lesson ends with a discussion about what they could do with the recyclable items and how they could be re-used or recycled properly.
Investigation - "How do rotting plants and animals recycle into soil?" - Students conducted a hands-on investigation of the sequence of changes that occur to plants and animals that die and decay. They studied the decomposition of different natural and man-made materials (a banana, plastic straw and a paper napkin) over a 5 week period. At the end of the study, students wrote their conclusions and the class discussed how this study may relate to decomposition in the real world and how the decomposition of man-made objects may impact the health of our environment. The students brainstormed a list of man--made items to bury in the 'graveyard' in the courtyard and looked at decomposition in the compost bins.
Saving the Chesapeake Bay - Students participate in an entire unit that teaches about the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay. In this unit they learn about ecosystems, native wildlife, water quality and human impact. Students conduct many lab activities, one of which is an investigation in which they make an analogy between how coffee filters are able to purify dirty water and how oysters in the Chesapeake Bay do the same. After constructing and examining a filter model, they read about the ecological importance of oysters and the effects of pollution and over-harvesting on the water quality of the Chesapeake. They also investigate the ecological importance of native plants.