08-09 wetland learner materials

8/14/2019 08-09 Wetland Learner Materials

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Dear Teacher, Fall 2008

The Wakarusa Wetland Learners fieldtrips are back!

The WWL project was initiated in Spring 2006 by Jayhawk Audubon Society and implemented

in partnership with Kaw Valley Heritage Alliance, its new primary sponsor. Its purpose is toengage 6th grade students in activities designed to increase their awareness, appreciation,knowledge and understanding of natural environmentsbeginning with wetlandsand toincrease their interest in conservation and preservation. Through activities involving scientificinvestigation, creative self-expression, and learning about the ecological value and historicalcontext of wetlands, students are encouraged to develop a lifelong, mutually-beneficialrelationship with Earths ecosystems and the organisms living in them.

Trips focus on the area of the Wakarusa wetlands located on the south side of 31st Street, justsouth and east of Broken Arrow Park. To make the Wakarusa Wetland Learners project aseasy as possible for teachers and students to participate in, we provide busing, facilitators* foractivities in the wetlands, coordination of the activities for each trip, and some support for

teachers in preparing and following up with studentsincluding a special website atwww.wetlandlearners.org. All sixth grade classes are invited to take advantage of thisopportunity by scheduling a trip for Fall 2008 or Spring 2009.

The biggest change this year is with the funding that helped us launch the program. The KawValley Heritage Alliance has taken the lead on continuing to provide the field trips. However,we are entirely bootstrapping to cover project expenses mostly coordinating volunteers,teacher and intern support, materials and travel expenses. Jayhawk Audubon has madeavailable about $2,250 to help with wetland field trips. Cans for Community has contributed$500 for the 08/09 Wetland Learners project. Finally, a wonderful anonymous donor hascontributed $2,000. We still need to come up with about $5,000 over the course of the next 9months to make this project happen. To help us bridge this gap were asking participating

schools to contribute $125..KVHA/SL and project volunteers determine the activities to be offered according to whichfacilitators are available on the day of a trip. Although we can try to accommodate somepreference of activities by individual schools, the focus is as follows for each trip. A minimum of2 activities will be science-oriented, 2 will focus on the value of the ecology, geology or historyof the Wakarusa wetlands, and the remaining 1 will involve writing poetry about nature, creatingdrawings or paintings of the natural setting, dramatizing interpretations of wetlands life, learningenvironmentally themed songs, or other experiences intended to increase students sense ofconnection to and appreciation for natural environments. Even if a school has multiple classesinvolved, we will usually schedule only 5 activities because of limited time available at thewetlands and the goal of every student experiencing every activity for which the class has beenprepared.

Only one trip per week is pre-scheduled, assigned by KVHA/SL on a first come, first servedbasis. Please see http://wetlandlearners.org for the most up to current listing of available dates.A link to the Registration Form is also on the website. KVHA/SL will assign each group aninclement weather backup date and time. Providing rain dates results in a great deal of addedcomplexity for scheduling facilitators. Were limited by who is available on the day of therescheduled trip.

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All trips for 2008-9 will be scheduled for the afternoon. In order for students to be at thewetlands long enough for successful field activities, each school must arrive immediately afterlunch. Having a picnic lunch across the street in Broken Arrow Park makes getting to thewetlands on time much easier. Arrival on time is crucial in order to complete all activities beforethe buses have to leave. Laidlaw bus companys return time is relatively early in the afternoon,

resulting in a very tight schedule. Many schools preferred morning trips in 2007-8, but newconstraints on those coordinating the trips will make morning trips difficult if not impossible.

When ordering buses, teachers must write on the order form to bill Jayhawk AudubonSociety. JAS has set up this approach with Laidlaw. A limit of 1 bus per school is requiredunless the need for an additional bus is cleared through Alison Reber ahead of time. If thereare too many students for one bus, we would appreciate the overflow being taken to thewetlands by other means. This will allow us to have funds available for covering at least 1 busfor all schools wanting to go. Please remember, when ordering a bus you must note on theorder form to bill Jayhawk Audubon Society. Any request for more than 1 bus must becleared ahead of time in order for both buses to be paid for by JAS.

Students will rotate through 5 activities led by facilitators scheduled and oriented by KVHA.Each activity requires approximately 20 minutes for learners to have a worthwhile experience.In addition, we will need 5 minutes for each of the following: orientation, wrap-up, rotationbetween each round of activities, and walking to and from the bus. This totals 2 hours and 25minutes. Allowing for even minor variations in the schedule means classes need to schedule 2 hours in the wetlands from arrival to departure. (See Field Trip Rotation Schedule)

Due to the nature (An unintended pun!) of these trips, we require 1 school-providedchaperone for every group of 1-7 students, and 2 chaperones for every group of 8 ormore students. This proved beneficial in previous trips because of the field setting. Whengroups have 8 or more members, we often have 2 facilitators per activity, so they can sharefacilitation responsibilities or break the groups into 2 smaller groups, each with a facilitator and

chaperone. The role of facilitators is to engage students in activities, not to supervise them.Chaperones must be able to remove students who are causing disruption of an activity orendangering other students or adults in any way. Therefore, any size group (even 1-7)containing 1 or more students who tend to have difficulty behaving appropriately in an outdoorenvironment and may need to be removed, must have 2 chaperones so one can remain with thegroup at all times. These requirements are to insure a safe, orderly, and activity-focusedlearning environment for all involved. We appreciate your support in this.

We hope you will choose to take advantage of this opportunity for all sixth grade students atyour school. Please dont hesitate to call any of us with questions, suggestions or concerns.We look forward to sharing a trip to the Wakarusa wetlands with you and your students.

Sincerely,

Alison Reber [email protected] or cell 785-218-5106Coordinator 2008-9, Executive Director, Kaw Valley Heritage Alliance/StreamLink

Sandy Sanders [email protected] or 841-4807Coordinator 2006-8, Jayhawk Audubon Society Education Committee


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Basic Wetland Learner Teacher Responsibilities

Complete Field Trip Registration (See letter regarding booking a date)

Request bus (See letter regarding need for more than 1 bus.)

Letter to parentso Include information from Helpful Hints & Suggestionso Goal of tripo Parent permission forms (See attached required permission form)

Recruit Chaperoneso Adult-student ratio 1-7 maximum, 2 required for groups of 8 or more

Divide students into 5 groups (A, B, C, D, E)o Decide groups before arriving at wetlands.o Chaperones need their groups field trip schedule.

Prepare students for wetland experience. (See Helpful Hints & Suggestions)

Complete and return Student and Teacher Reflection forms

Teacher Heads-UpStuff we know you know but you might have forgotten..

Were going to be outside.

There are no walls, no carpets, no ceilings.

Theres no running water, no bathrooms, and no trash cans.

There will be rough terrain, standing water, tall plants, and wild animals.

Plan aPlan aPlan aPlan accordingly.ccordingly.ccordingly.ccordingly.

Dont hesitate to call Alison or Sandy if you have ANY questions or concerns.Alison 785-218-5106; Sandy 841-4807


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State Standards, Local Curriculum + Support for Academic Benefits

Please contact Anne Hawks, Science Specialist for USD 497, to discuss specific ties to districtor state science standards or ways these trips can support environmental science learningobjectives. Sixth grade standards have environmental education objectives.

Activities may include any of the following (or others), depending on what facilitators areavailable that day. We plan to get to you a list of the activities scheduled for your trip in time foryou to prepare your class. The final determinant of activities for any trip is the facilitators thatare available. Many of these activities require very specialized knowledge or skills, and our goalis to provide well-qualified facilitators.

Water chemistryMacro invertebrate identification/assessmentMicro invertebrate identification/assessmentVertebrate identification/assessmentHabitat assessment

Vegetation identification/assessmentGeo-hydrologyStream walk surveyWatershed evaluationBirdsInsectsSeasons/climateValue of wetlandsGeological history of areaValue of protected lands for public enjoymentCreative writing or poetryArt

Music or songsDramaOther open to suggestions

*Facilitators will be scientists, naturalists, artists, musicians, poets or others with knowledge andskills enabling them to conduct successful environmentally focused activities in a wetlandsenvironment.

PS: If you know of facilitators to recommend, please let us know. Thank you.


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Wetland Learners Helpful Hints & Suggestions

We have compiled just a few guidelines we think will help you and your students enjoyyour visit to the Wakarusa wetland area.

Prelude Concepts

We try to meld the trips with your curriculum needs. However, its really helpful forstudents to consider these concepts before they get to the wetland area.

Wheres the Wakarusa River? Whats a wetland?

What happens to water after it rains? Why do plants and animals need water? What is an ecosystem? How do systems change over time?

What to wear, what to wear..

Here are a few suggestions to make your field experience safe and comfortable: Comfortable but stout shoes that cover your toes and can get wet or muddy. Shorts are cooler but long pants provide good protection from the tall grass,

brush, and poison ivy you may encounter. Wear a t-shirt or long-sleeved cotton shirt to protect yourself from the sun and tall

vegetation.

If its cold, wear a jacket. Apply sunscreen and insect repellant before you get on the bus to go to the

wetlands. Time is usually limited once the trip begins.

Last minute rules and reminders

Just a few things to remind students before they head out: Stay together in groups. Dont wander off by yourself. Use quiet voices and listening ears. Do not get in the water unless instructed to do so. Be aware of whats around you: poison ivy, stinging insects, venomous snakes,

thorny trees, slippery rocks, unstable banks, traffic, etc Avoid putting yourselfand others in danger.

Be respectful of yourself, each other, the instructors, and the environment. Weneed to leave the wetland as we found it.

Do not drink the water from the stream or eat plants growing on the banks. Bringbottled water to avoid dehydration.

Check for ticks and wash exposed skin when you get back to school. Have a great time! Its one of the few times you can get dirty and not get in

trouble for it!

Dont hesitate to call Alison or Sandy if you have ANY questions or concerns.Alison 785-218-5106; Sandy 841-4807


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(Teachers, please either use the permission request below or add it as worded to the permission you require from

parents/guardians of your students. Please either retain permission slips at your school or give to us to retain for the

2008-9 year. Thank you.)

Wakarusa Wetland Learners Fieldtrip Permission Form

__________________________ is a child for whom I have legal responsibility and has my

permission to participate in the Wakarusa Wetlands Learners field trip. I agree to hold Kaw

Valley Heritage Alliance/StreamLink, Jayhawk Audubon Society, USD 497, individual

facilitators, coordinators, teachers, chaperones and others assisting with these trips harmless in

the event of accidents, injuries or other traumas involving my child or other participants.

Note: Photographs may be taken and published by teachers, chaperones, facilitators,

organizations (such as Jayhawk Audubon Society or Kaw Valley Heritage Alliance), or media

sources such as the Lawrence Journal World. Our intention is to avoid identifying individual

children and use any published photos for public relations, documentation of fieldtrips for grant

funding, or other non-commercial purposes.

__________________________________ _______________________

Parent or Guardian Date


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GROUP A Field Trip Rotation Schedule

Arrive at Wetlands 31st Street entrance Unload buses, walk to concrete bridge, and prepare to listen to orientation (5 minutes)

Welcome and orientation (5 minutes)

Introductions coordinators, facilitators, school, teachers Brief overview of where stations are located & rotation system Explanation of signals for changing activities (whistle 2x for 1 minute warning, 3x for end of activity) Reminder of appropriate behavior in the wetlandsavoid disruptive or loud behaviors; walk at all

times; leave flowers, sticks, etc. where they are; keep shoes on at all times; stay out of water unlessparent, teacher and facilitator give permission to step in; take out all trash; tune in to natural world.

We are visitors.

1st Rotation (3-5 minutes)

1st Station/Activity (20 minutes)

A2nd Rotation (3-5 minutes)

2nd Station/Activity (20 minutes) B3rd Rotation (3-5 minutes)

3rd

Station/Activity (20 minutes)

C

4th Rotation (3-5 minutes)

4th Station/Activity (20 minutes) D5th Rotation (3-5 minutes)

5th Station/Activity (20 minutes)

EEveryone return to concrete bridge meeting site 3-5 minutes

Wrap-up 5 minutes Reinforce importance of natural environments Encourage students to bring families to the Wakarusa wetland

Answer questions, thanks for coming & group picture

Walk to the bus & load up 5 minutes


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GROUP B Field Trip Rotation Schedule

Arrive at Wetlands 31st Street entrance unload buses, walk to concrete bridge, and prepare to listen to orientation (5 minutes)


Introductions coordinators, facilitators, school, teachers Brief overview of where stations are located & rotation system Explanation of signals for changing activities (2x for 1 minute warning, 3x for end of activity) Reminder of appropriate behavior in the wetlandsavoid disruptive or loud behaviors; walk at all

times; leave flowers, sticks, etc. where they are; keep shoes on at all times; stay out of water unlessparent, teacher and facilitator give permission to step in; take out all trash; tune in to natural world.We are visitors.



B2nd Rotation (3-5 minutes)2nd Station/Activity (20 minutes) C

3rd Rotation (3-5 minutes)

3rd Station/Activity (20 minutes) D4th Rotation (3-5 minutes)

4th Station/Activity (20 minutes) E5th Rotation (3-5 minutes)

5th Station/Activity (20 minutes) AEveryone return to concrete bridge meeting site 3-5 minutes





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GROUP C Field Trip Rotation Schedule







C2nd Rotation (3-5 minutes)2nd Station/Activity (20 minutes) D


3rd Station/Activity (20 minutes) E4th Rotation (3-5 minutes)

4th Station/Activity (20 minutes) A5th Rotation (3-5 minutes)

5th Station/Activity (20 minutes) BEveryone return to concrete bridge meeting site 3-5 minutes





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GROUP D Field Trip Rotation Schedule







D2nd Rotation (3-5 minutes)2nd Station/Activity (20 minutes) E


3rd Station/Activity (20 minutes) A4th Rotation (3-5 minutes)

4th Station/Activity (20 minutes) B5th Rotation (3-5 minutes)

5th Station/Activity (20 minutes) CEveryone return to concrete bridge meeting site 3-5 minutes





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GROUP E Field Trip Rotation Schedule







E2nd Rotation (3-5 minutes)2nd Station/Activity (20 minutes) A


3rd Station/Activity (20 minutes) B4th Rotation (3-5 minutes)

4th Station/Activity (20 minutes) C5th Rotation (3-5 minutes)

5th Station/Activity (20 minutes) DEveryone return to concrete bridge meeting site 3-5 minutes





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Student Reflections on Wetlands Activities

Name__________________________________________ Date_____________

Note to teachers using this form:

1) Blank spaces are for names of particular activities your class participated in at the wetlands. Feel free to change questions or

alter form in whatever way you think will gain more useful information.

2) Using these questions is not required, but we would appreciate seeing whatever form of feedback you use as pre- or post-evaluations of student knowledge. This helps us in planning future activities and documenting activities for grant funding purposes.Thank you.

Please share the following information about each activity.

Station on__________________________________-:What did you learn?

How might you use this knowledge?

What else would you like to know?







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Please also share with us:What other activities would you like to do in a wetlands environment?

What was especially enjoyable for you about today's time in the Wakarusa wetlands?

What suggestions do you have for improving the activities or the trip to the wetlands?

What other natural environments would you like to learn about?

What are you doing, or would you be willing to do, to protect Earths natural environments and theanimals and plants who live there?

SSanders 2007


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Teacher Reflections on Wetlands Activities

Teachers/Chaperones Name___________________________________Date_____________

Please share with us any or all of the following information about your trip to the wetlands.

What did you learn? (Related to any aspect of this fieldtrip.)



What suggestions do you have for improving todays activities?

What other activities would you like to have available in a wetlands environment?

What aspect(s) of this trip was especially enjoyable or worthwhile for you?

What suggestions do you have for ways we could make taking your students on environmental education

fieldtrips easier, more worthwhile, etc.?

What other natural environments in Douglas County would you like your students to learn about?

Other suggestions not mentioned above?

If you know anyone (scientist, naturalist, artist, writer, musician, story-teller, etc.) whose skills would lendthemselves to connecting kids with nature, please let us know.

Thanks for participating in this opportunity, sponsored by the Kaw Valley Heritage Alliance/StreamLink.

SSanders 2007

08-09 wetland learner materials

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