Field Trip!

We had such a great time on our 3rd grade field trip last week! I wanted to attach some of the great pictures and the informational write-up that Mr. Siptroth wrote about the experience.

All students, minus two, 1 parent, 1 grandparent, 1 school board member, 1 bus driver, and 2 teachers enjoyed the 3^rd grade field trip to Sweet Water Creek, old water wheel(as a demonstration, there are plans to restore it and light a display about water power), water tank for Remote Incubation Salmon Egg Tank, amphitheater, and trails. Students picked up litter to show their good citizenship [theme of our first unit in Journey’s]! We heard the birds and rushing water, the wind in the trees, and saw Big Leaf Maples and Western Red Cedars ( some new trees will be planted to control erosion (part of Water Unit in Science). We learned about Riparian Habitats and how they cool the creek for salmon. We also saw Bamboosa, an invasive species, plus English Ivy (terrible for trees).

Strolling through Theler Wetland Trails, we saw where Sweet Water Creek flows into the Hood Canal Estuary. We heard the big boom of the duck hunter’s guns. The classes were impressed by the skeleton of the juvenile Gray Whale-what would it be like as an adult? We noticed the estuary grasses and how the estuary restoration was encouraging new species of plants and animals like Mallard Ducks, Canadian Geese, and Killdeer, plus providing habitat for juvenile salmon. Students were impressed by the two bridges in the estuary [we studied bridges in Pop’s Bridge in Journey’s and students in Mr. Siptroth’s class built them {from recycled materials}!

At the Salmon Center, everyone ate lunch, enjoying the wind, another science investigation; much more wind in the open. After that, 4 groups visited the animals there, plus saw plants the Enviro Camp students grew and ate delicious kale! Several students chose to play tag in the meadow.

We continued to explore the Union River, noticing nursery logs and new trees which get their nutrients from the fallen trees or stumps. Students asked about Ash trees, rosehips, rushes, and saw many fish and read signs.

Everyone was impressed by how much they walked, how much they knew and learned, wrote notes in their science journals and/or drew pictures like scientists, and are encouraged to return with their families! What an awesome day; let’s do it again!