My students have been working on a Water Cycle Project. They tested local water, learned about pollution, conservation & clean-up. They've participated in beach plantings & the International Coastal Clean-Up. However, they haven't seen first hand how animals & plants depend upon clean water.
This year I have 22 students of varied diversity and learning abilities.
They attend a public school that boarders a state park. We have begun researching the water cycle and are participating in Disney's Planet Challenge. As a result of several hands-on experiments, like testing puddle and rain water, on their own (yes!) students have researched pollution, the need for clean water, the water cycle and much more! They have volunteered their time for beach clean-ups and plantings and have even written letters to legislators all in the name of clean water. They are motivated to help find ways to keep that water clean. If they see the impact that dirty water (simulated) can have on plants and animals (through the use of non-toxic dye) I can only imagine what ideas they will develop in order to help not only the water cycle and our environment but also the precious denizens as well.
My Project
Through a variety of interactions with these materials students will create and maintain classroom ecosystems. They will learn about the interdependence of different species and see what happens when one element breaks down. They will also see how water can be cleaned (we will simulate with cotton balls and dyes) and damage undone (blue dye will affect all species- removal of the dye will slowly return the species to normal). Children will learn first hand about the fragility of ecosystem and how important clean water is to their maintenance. The materials to help me do this are River Tank Plant Set, River Tank Animal Set, River Tank Accessory Set, River Tank Ecosystem, and an Amphibian Starter Habitat with 2 Newts.
We tell children how one person can make a difference.
I see how that motivates children to DO something. However, they often don't know what or how! I'd like to provide them with a stepping stone that will lead them down a path of future activism. They will see that they can make a difference and will learn how to initiate change. They have already come up with many ways to care for water, now let's see them find ways to care for it's inhabitants.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Giordano and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
