Nies Class News: Room 86, Grant School 5th Grade: 2014-2015 CPBL: STREAM ORGANISMS AND LITTER

This school year 5th grade students at Grant Elementary School are immersing themselves in the city around us. Our learning theme this year is "The World is Your Classroom". Starting in August, we are visiting government facilities, downtown businesses, University of Missouri museums, and many outdoor nature areas in Columbia, MO. Our work will follow a 3 step process:

1. Learners observe the world around them.
2. Our learning community reflects upon our experiences.
3. We decide and fulfill science experiments and a community project to make our world a better place.

This page of our blog will follow the experiences we have the project we dream up to benefit our community. Enjoy!

STUDENTS WORDLES: Students have shared their inspirations from our community observations. I have included some wordles in the document link below:

Student observations, inspirations and themes

WE CHOSE TO STUDY "HOW DOES LITTER IN STREAMS AFFECT STREAM ORGANISMS? All of our science work from now until the end of the year will be based around this question. We will be covering our NGSS objectives with activities matching learning about healthy streams.

***SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO FOLLOW THE WHOLE YEAR OF FIELD WORK***

SINK WATER POLLUTION DAY A SUCCESS
5th graders did a wonderful job sharing their water conservation knowledge and ideas to the whole school. We shared our litter stream organism boats, sang our water conservation song, Oh Splash, and it was the debit of Water Wise, our water conservation movie. WE RAISED $362!!! Great job, Grant School! This money will be donated to Missouri River Relief, a local organization that has been cleaning up the Big Muddy for years. This group also has kids camps and many ways to volunteer and help conserve the Missouri River, an important source of drinking water and other water uses for millions in the midwest.

Below you will see our final litter stream organism boats. I will send a link to families to view the movie Water Wise. Wonderful job, kids. You make the world a better place!

SCUD

BLACK FLY NYMPH

STONEFLY NYMPH

CRANE FLY LARVAE

CRAYFISH

WATER PENNY BEETLE

DRAGONFLY NYMPH

SINK WATER POLLUTION DAY
On May 20th, 5th graders are holding an assembly to share their creative learning about Litter and Stream Organisms. Their will be music, a movie, and a science/art demonstration. This week we will be collecting donations for

Below are pictures of scientist/artists working on their stream organism boat designs.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25 2BGREEN SYMPOSIUM
Our litter and stream organisms poster and presenting was a hit. A large number of All Stars came to the symposium to share our science knowledge. I was very impressed with our scientists as they shared the results of our experiment and shared their stream organism knowledge with interested gifts. Our science poster is on display in the halls at Grant School. Now it is time to prepare for Sink Water Pollution Day on May 20th.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8
Our trip to Clear Creek was an amazing day of enjoying the outdoors and science learning engagement. Below you will see our data and even in the field the kids were already noticing differences. We are excited to analyzed all this data and explain it in our poster for the 2BGREEN Science Symposium. Enjoy the pics and data results. We will add graphs this week to organize the information in our data table.

CLEAR CREEK:

PH BALANCE: 8.4

DISSOLVED OXYGEN LEVELS:

CLEAR CREEK LITTER AND STREAM ORGANISMS:

LITTER: 3.24 KG
PLASTIC: .91
METAL: .17
GLASS: .34
RUBBER: .61
WOOD: 0
FABRIC: .16
TRASH: 1.05

HIGH TOLERANT: 37

AQUATIC WORMS: 6

BLACK FLY: 12

MIDGE FLY: 19

MID TOLERANT: 199

SCUD: 52

CRAYFISH: 104

DREAGONFLY: 4

SOWBUG: 38

ALDERFLY: 1

MID/LOW TOLERANT: 42

CRANE FLY: 5

MAYFLY: 36

CADDISFLY: 1

LOW TOLERANT: 12

STONEFLY: 6

WATER PENNY BEETLE: 1

OPERCULATE SNAIL: 5

OTHER: 88

WATER STRIDERS: 20

ORANGE THROATED DARTER: 13

MADTOM CATFISH: 2

OTHER FISH: 46

PICKEREL FROG: 1

OTHER FROGS: 3

CENTIPEDE: 1

MILLIPEDE: 1

POUCH SNAIL: 1

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1
Wow! What a day! We had beautiful weather and completed professional science work while cleaning our local watershed stream, Flat Branch. Below are the results of our work and pictures of our day.

FLAT BRANCH:
PH BALANCE: 8.4
DISSOLVED OXYGEN LEVELS: 16

FLAT BRANCH LITTER AND STREAM ORGANISMS:

LITTER: 69.09 KG
PLASTIC: 19.09
METAL:       25.54
GLASS:        3.64
RUBBER: 1.82
WOOD:        1.82
FABRIC:       4.55
TRASH:       12.73

HIGH POLLUTION TOLERANT/ANY WATER QUALITY:    85
AQUATIC WORMS: 75
BLACK FLY: 1
MIDGE FLY: 2
NONOPERCULATE SNAILS: 7

MID POLLUTION TOLERANT/MID WATER QUALITY:     20
CRAYFISH:    12
WATER SNIPE:       2
DAMSELFLY: 6

MID/LOW POLLUTION TOLERANT/MID/HIGH WATER QUALITY: 2
MAYFLY:      1
CADDISFLY:   1

LOW POLLUTION TOLERANT/HIGH WATER QUALITY: 0

OTHER:        32
WATER STRIDERS:   18
WATER SCORPORIONS:      3
EARTHWORMS:       2
ORANGE THROATED DARTER:       5
OTHER FISH: 2
OTHER FROGS:       2

FRIDAY, MARCH 20
Below are a few examples of fantastic Macroinvertebrate "Wanted" posters. This was a creative way for kids to learn about this indicators of water quality. These are the organisms we will be looking for as we test water quality on Flat Branch and Clear Creek in the next couple weeks.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18
We has a field experience to Prairie Fork Conservation Area today. This trip gave us an opportunity to practice our macroinvertebrate sampling and identification skills. Scientists used dipnets to find organisms in Crow Pond. Then we identified them back at our learning station and tallied our data in a data table. This work is very similar to the work we will do at Flat Branch on April 1 and Clear Creek on April 8. Yesterday, kids also had a chance to view prairies and use guide books. They did very well and made it through a tough cold, windy, damp field day. Enjoy the pics below, especially the leech which was a hit!

As a part of demonstrated our knowledge of the NGSS objective: Support an argument that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water, students took notes on a tree and then decorated the background. We viewed a sycamore in Flat Branch with roots exposed and also watched a photosynthesis movie (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xeYNnzwpSE&feature=youtu.be) and diagrams. Check out kids finished trees below.

This week we are investigating the NGSS objective: Support an argument that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water. Today, we practiced our experimental design while setting up Transpiration experiments to provide us with evidence of trees using water. In the pictures below, can you identify some of our variables? We determined heat and types of plants affect the amount of transpiration the most! Fish water compared to tap water did not make much of a difference and we decided our other variables were compromised by failing constants!

Recently, we have been learning about properties of water and the water "cycle". Below is one scientist's model of water on earth.

MONARCH BUTTERFLY UPDATE/RESOURCES: We have seen some caterpillars around town and at Grant School. Ysana and some kids found one on a leaf in one of our gardens (some natives planted by students!!!). Karmez also brought one in to view. We visually identified them as monarchs with a web site and a butterfly guide. We released it since we don't have a system for caterpillars right now. Then today after lunch we saw another monarch butterfly caterpillar attached to the brick wall outside the office - not the safest place to form a chrysalis but that's just what it did! If it makes it through the night, we will read facts and make signs to inform other learners so we can help the caterpillar go through metamorphosis in its chrysalis safely. Kids will use the websites/videos below:

1. LOOK AT A MONARCH WEEKLY READER

2. BUTTERFLIES IN A BIND SCHOLASTIC MATH

3. AMAZING LIFE CYCLE OF A MONARCH BUTTERFLY VIDEO CHICAGO NATURE MUSEUM

4. THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY KIDS ZONE

5. MONARCH BUTTERFLY (DANAUS PLEXIPPUS) RAINFOREST ALLIANCE

6. MONARCH BUTTERFLY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

7. MONARCH BUTTERFLY DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE

8. MONARCH BUTTERFLY ANIMAL DIVERSITY WEB

9. MONARCH BUTTERFLY GARDEN ECOSYSTEM WEBSITE

COLORING PAGE

FROM OUR BRICK WALL AT GRANT

SEPTEMBER 26, 2014: CITY COUNCIL BUILDING

SEPTEMBER 25, 2014: UNITED STATES POST OFFICE

SEPTEMBER 24, 2014: BOONE COUNTY COURTHOUSE

SEPTEMBER 22, 2014: FIRE DEPARTMENT/WABASH BUS STATION

SEPTEMBER 18, 2014: GRINDSTONE NATURE AREA
Today we progressed quite a bit in our outdoor learning. Many students are becoming inspired and we have started to discuss some possible community projects. Students did a fine job with specific observation challenges and collecting/identifying stream organisms. At an outdoor compost classroom, we observed rain gardens and read nonfiction signs about native plants. We even found out a question we asked yesterday: do frogs eat mosquitoes? (Yes, they do). We have added crayfish, orange darters, and macro invertebrates to our tank. Students all observed a forest/prairie site with binoculars atop a large limestone bluff. We also hiked the based of the cliff along the creek bank and discussed limestone cliffs and caves in Missouri.
Bluff top observations, limestone display, turkey vulture, and stream work:

SEPTEMBER 17, 2014: 3M WETLANDS
At this rehabilitated sewer treatment site students practiced more observations in the field. We also had the opportunity to use scientific tools today. Students observed wetland wildlife with binoculars and observation containers. Unfortunately, the most abundant wildlife was mosquitoes! Students read nonfiction signs about birds in wetlands and the importance of wetlands. They also used dip nets to collect pond organisms. We added tadpoles and two small fish to our native fish tank in the classroom. The whole fifth grade shared in the identification of a dragonfly nymph using a camera in the Ecoschoolhouse. This trip is also helping use become used to being learners in the field.

Sampling pond organisms, find the animal in the tall grass, goldenrod, lamb's ear, sycamore wetlands:

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/ParksandRec/Parks/3M_Flat_Branch-Hinkson_Creek_Wetlands/Signs/index.php

SEPTEMBER 12, 2014: ARTLANDISH/BRIDGE
As an educator, I observed lots of inspiration on our arts experiences today. Students observed arts and crafts through various media and learned a bit of history at Artlandish and the Catacombs. At the Bridge we learned about and felt the science of music with a short rock n roll show after touring the Columbia Academy of Music.

Students appreciated various art forms while observing a multitude of natural, human and capital resources. Some even received a felting demonstration.

At the Bridge, students observed a prime example of sound waves while enjoying Rock n Roll performed on various instruments. We posed with our best fist pumping rock n roll stance.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2014: PEACE PARK/MISSOURI THEATER
Today was a superb day to observe science in the city. Students described plants and animals at Peace Park, officially named McAlester Park. We met at the peace sign and discussed how the park is an outdoor spot that also serves as a memorial to a tragic event in our country's past. Scientists observed a "creek" ecosystem with large boulders and plenty of large trees. We hear insects and once spotted a groundhog, and, of course, massive squirrels busy with our State Nut, the Black Walnut.

At Missouri Theater we toured a building originally built in 1928. Our tour began with a discussion of all the uses, past and present, the theater has served. We viewed the crystal chandelier hanging from the plaster carved, gold and turquoise painted ceiling. The tour also included a view of backstage and below the stage too.

We are working on ways to represent our observations as a whole. Students will soon be compiling notes and making themed representations of their science notes.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2014: COLUMBIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Students today learned about our local law enforcement facilities. We had a very nice and eye opening tour and we appreciated our guides, Lt. Shouse-Jones and Lt. Jones, also parents of a Grant 5th grader. The following day I attended a retirement celebration for Officer John Warner of the Columbia Police Department. John was our fantastic DARE officer at Grant for many years and one of the few School Resource Officers in the district for all the secondary schools. In his honor I am pleased we still have an opportunity for kids to have a positive relationship with law enforcement. The class did a wonderful job listening, asking questions, and being attentive. I am excited to see the results of our observations for this experience. Enjoy the pictures below.

Students did a great job listening in the conference room.

Elijah practiced his metric system in the booking room.

The SWAT vehicle is child proof.

SEPTEMBER 3. 2014: UMC CHILDREN'S LEARNING GARDEN/CONSERVATION HALL
What a great day! The weather was cooperative and the kids were happy to know this was our longest walking field trip! You will see pics of kids using all 5 senses at the UMC Children's Learning Garden. Students used science tools such as observation containers and metric measuring tape to measure leaf length. At Conservation Hall, we observed the bird collection and the Yeckel Museum of mammals. Students are organizing their observations tonight.

These are eggs of Assassin Bugs and Harlequin Bugs. Kids viewed the actual bugs in observation containers.

Scientists observing insects and a sensory garden.

And we observed this odd colored praying mantis: gray on gray!?!

Meanwhile, in our own garden:

AUGUST 28, 2014: ELLIS LIBRARY RARE BOOKS/STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
We observed amazing artifacts today: a 5000 year old piece of writing, ancient maps, and powerful pieces of art from Thomas Hart Benton. These should be two different field trips in the future. I decide to revise the way I collect student observations of our experiences because they have so much to say! Until then, I will share some photos of the neat artifacts we observed.

We learned original maps told stories.

These are 5000 year old Sumerian writing on clay tablets to record business transactions. These are the oldest artifacts on campus!

Students chose certain Benton paintings they identified with and explained why. They even met Benton himself!!!

AUGUST 27, 2014: DANIEL BOONE REGIONAL LIBRARY
We continued library week with a visit to our neighbors at the city library. We took a tour of this awesome facility, learned about the building and various resources the library offers. We also learned how to download e books which will be doing when we receive our library cards and student iPads. Students also worked in pairs to learn with our devices while enjoying the library atmosphere.

AUGUST 27, 2014: GRANT SCHOOL MONTESSORI
This morning we viewed our buddy room. Students observed preschoolers working and also got a tour from Ms. Sue. Students had a chance to ask questions and the preschoolers were wonderful hosts.

AUGUST 25, 2014: GRANT SCHOOL MEDIA CENTER
This week is library week! Today we visited the fantastic Grant School Media Center. Students listened to media specialist Cathy Hughes give a tour of the library and discuss what it is like being a media specialist at Grant School. The kids enjoyed themselves and practiced finding nonfiction and Newberry books. Below are the words they used to describe our library

Grant School Media Center words: cool, fun x 4, learning x 3, stars, pinatas, yellow, community, decorations, posters, books x 5, iPads, shelves, big, awesome, artistic x 2, library x 2, woody, reading, computers, paper, old, stuff, work, assistant, clay, bright, windows, technology, cold, historical, epic, colorful

AUGUST 22, 2014
For our first Friday of the school year, we took to the streets to practice our scientific observations. Students did a wonderful job describing organisms in class on Thursday. We looked at other scientists' descriptive journals and focused on Jane Goodall. Today we viewed pictures of this leading scientist working with chimpanzees. Also, during shared reading we read an article from National Geographic focusing on some of the most important chimps she worked with. We discussed how most of Jane Goodall's breakthrough science work came form her extensive journals and work in the field, as opposed to science in a lab. Then we practiced our best science observations in the field at Stewart Park. We did not see any chimpanzees! Below you will see some pictures of student observations and list of words they chose to represent their experience.

Stewart Park words: trees: walnut, willow, redbud, oak, dewey, mushrooms, fun, squirrels, daddy longlegs, nature, insects, scientists, water, nests, birds, sweaty, humid, green, smelly, grassy, animals, thoughtful, plants, itchy, hot, mosquitos, little black bugs, bug bites, creatures, flies, bees, gnats, dragonflies, spiders, specimens, leaf bug, prickly, leaves, eating, nuts, acorns, humans, willows, wild strawberries, worms, crickets, red, hot sun, moss, beetles, roly polies,