GEMS Science Class Summary 4/29/13

Ecology Mapping

It was a wet day out there on Monday! We started off class by sharing what we wrote at the end of the class the previous week when we took five minutes to sit and use our senses in our area of study. Many students used the word “peaceful”.

We went on to discuss environmental factors that affect what we find in nature. Part of our list included sunlight, moisture, and cover. After drawing a rough map of our area the students were put into three groups with each group focusing on one of the three factors. Their job was to find spots in our area where there was the most of their factor and the least of their factor. For example, the group that focused on sunlight would highlight the areas where sunlight was abundant and areas that were extremely shady. Ecologists often map out areas as they begin their study in order to find spots to focus in on.

---

As we went outside it was a little drizzly and very wet. This is where the boots and jackets came in handy! The students thoroughly enjoyed exploring our area to find their spots of most and least. They walked around with their notebooks in hand scouting out places that matched their topic. I was reminded, yet again, how we don’t often get time in nature in this way. I encouraged them to make sure that the areas they marked on their map weren’t all in one clump, but to spread them out a little.

When we arrived back in class we transferred our finding onto our class map and added some landmarks that stood out to us. In the weeks to follow we will be looking more closely at certain animal life in our area. There is a possibility of having some naturalists come visit our class and join us on one of our expeditions. I’ll know more about that towards the end of the week.

---

Just as a reminder, please check your child for ticks after school on Mondays. Three were found after we returned from our walk. Luckily they hadn’t attached yet.  A more thorough check at home will be needed each week.

Cross your fingers for better weather next week as we spend time observing in specific spots in our area!

---