We live in a rural area and my kids come from a variety of backgrounds. Many of my kids appreciate the great outdoors and I have tried to expose my kids to a wide range of high interest activities. My kids maintain a tank of brook trout that we hatched from eggs. They are totally in charge and problem solve water quality issues as the need arises. They will release them in May into a local creek. We raised monarch caterpillars and also maintain several butterfly gardens. We have learned about the importance of healthy habitats. My kids recently wanted to learn about the life cycle of chickens and compare that process to our trout. These kids are always seeking to learn new things and have a true appreciation for maintaining a healthy environment.
My Project
My students began the school year by hatching and raising brook trout in our classroom through the Trout in the Classroom program. They became curious as to how the development of different living organisms that hatch from eggs were the same and different (we had also hatched and raised monarchs). We have all the materials necessary to successfully raise brook trout, however, we had to borrow materials this year to hatch and raise chickens. These materials will allow us to be self-sufficient in terms of the materials necessary to carry out the learning objectives.
The incubator will allow us to hatch fertilized eggs so that we can see how this process is different than trout.
It is necessary to maintain very specific temperature and humidity to have the most chance of success. The brooder lamp and feeding supplies will allow us to raise them in the classroom for several weeks, before moving them to the farm.
These materials will help to supplement my current science curriculum, as well as provide many hands-on learning opportunities. Students will be able to draw and label diagrams, write compare and contrast essays, and document observations. This will be an authentic learning experience that students will remember for a lifetime.
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