South Carolina ETV

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Marshland Wonders (Grades 4-6)

MASTER TEACHER

Barbara Eager

OVERVIEW

Prior to this lesson, the students would have been introduced to the characteristics of wetlands. During this lesson, the children will learn about the benefits of the wetlands and the animals that choose this area as their home.

ITV SERIES

Bill Nye, the Science Guy, Lesson #5: Wetlands
Kratt's Creatures, Lesson #133: Marshmania
Up Close and Natural, Lesson #5: Toads, Frogs, etc.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students will be able to

identify the benefits of the wetlands
identify the organisms found in the wetlands and how they have adapted to life in the wetlands compare and contrast the characteristics of frogs and toads

SC MATH/SCIENCE STANDARDS MET

Science Achievement Standards - Grades 4-6 Process Skills

observe properties, similarities, and differences in objects
observe events and changes in the environment
make quantitative and qualitative observations
classify objects in the environment by comparison to descriptions or keys
explain observations of objects, organisms, or events using inferences
use drawings, graphs, charts, and tables to communicate data

Area 1 Living Things

compare and contrast organisms within kingdoms

investigate how-organisms may adapt structurally, functionally, and behaviorally to different environments

Math Achievement Standards - Grades 4-6

Numerical and algebraic concepts and operations Solve real-world and mathematical problem situations using algebraic concepts including variables and open sentences by:

applying the concepts for this strand in a variety of real-life contexts, such as determining the unit price of an item

Measurement

understand the concepts and attributes of length, capacity~ weight (mass), perimeter, area, volume, time, temperature, and angle measure by demonstrating an understanding of the concepts of perimeter, area, surface area, volume, capacity, weight (mass), and temperature

MATERIALS

Per group:

modeling clay
roasting pans
small piece of indoor-outdoor carpeting
jar of muddy water
water
Venn diagram model (two circles)
paper
pencil

PRE-VIEWING ACTIVITIES

Provide the first five items for each group. Shape the clay so that it gradually slopes down to the body of water. Place the indoor-outdoor carpet at the base of the slope. Ask the children what the clay (land) and indoor-outdoor carpet (marshland) represent. Then ask them to predict what will happen when water is poured slowly down the slope. Pour the water and make observations. Some of the water should be slowed by the carpeting.

Now remove the carpeting and remove the standing water. Predict what the results will be when water is poured down the slope at this point. Now slowly pour the muddy water down the slope. Discuss the results. Ask the children what happens in our wetlands that would be an example of this model (building businesses and homes in wetlands).

FOCUS FOR VIEWING

Tell the children they will now view Bill Nye's wetlands model and see if his results are the same as theirs.

VIEWING ACTIVITIES

Make a list of the similarities and differences of the models. Start where Bill says, "Take a look at these..." (at the beginning of the video after the introduction). Stop when he says, "Wetlands are beautiful!"

Then move toward a discussion of what particular animals might five in the wetlands. Concentrate on frogs and toads. Using the notebook paper and the Venn diagram, have the children record their observations about what. characteristics frogs and toads have in common and those that they do not have in common. Start the video Up Close and Natural where Louise McNamara says, "First, this is a bullfrog..." Pause at each point where a specific piece of information about a frog or a toad is given. Allow the children to record each piece of information. Stop when you hear her say, "So far we've talked about frogs and toads." At this point, ask the children to share their recorded information with their group and develop their Venn diagram. Post these to share with the whole class.

Complete the lesson by showing the video Marshmania from Kratts' Creatures. This video will pull this lesson together and visit a wetland. Start the video when you hear one of the Kratts brothers say, "When the sun comes out of the wetlands..." While viewing the video, the children will make a list of the animals named on the video. View it until one of the brothers says, " So if you want to check out the wetlands, pack a lunch!

POST-VIEWING ACTIVITIES

The children will take their list of animals made from viewing the last video. They will select one animal and conduct research on that animal. If Internet access is not available, use the library to select books for research material.

ACTION PLAN

Ask a U.S. Fish and Wildlife representative to visit the classroom and share the way his/her department controls the development of the wetlands.

Ask the Carolina Coastal Council to visit and explain how they make frequent flights along the coast to make certain beach development is done in a legal manner.

EXTENSIONS

Math and Science. Vary the rate the water flows down the slope of the wetlands model and measure the amount of silt collected at the base. Vary the amount of vegetation to determine if the amount of silt increases or decreases.

Language Arts: Have the students present written reports about the animals they have selected.

Art: Design a wetland that effectively retains the silt from flowing into the water.

Additional Resources:

Web Sites:

Books:

The Center for Marine Conservation (1989). The Ocean Book. "Estuary 3-D Board" New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

ACTIVITY SHEETS (PDF)

Venn diagram model