Do you remember catching crawdads or watching tadpoles? The experiences and wonderment of childhood are not a reality for my students. The natural world is pavement and man-made water drainage ditches. Help bring the natural world to them. They love observing and caring for animals and fish.
My students are a blend of diverse backgrounds with many second language learners.
Many of my 5th graders have never seen a river or even left the Dallas area. We have started a recycling club and have completed projects on storm water management. This is the closest they have been to the water cycle and its interactions. My students need a 30 gallon river ecosystem, river tank animals, and plants to be able to explore and compare to other water environments. This project would allow us to observe and understand river animals and their importance.
My Project
A river tank ecosystem is a biologically and chemically balanced stream environment providing habitats for plants, fish, amphibians, and reptiles. It is a hands-on learning experience for students that will aid them in their understanding of biological, ecological and chemical concepts. This resource will promote student interest, initiative, and involvement in such a way that students will want to learn the concepts of the related disciplines. It is a tool to begin a life-long appreciation of the complexity and the critical interrelationships of the environment in which they live.
Students will be able to observe the interdependency of the different living organisms. We will also be able to explore concepts dealing with adaptations, traits, nitrogen cycle, water cycle and the food web.
A river tank ecosystem will allow students of all learning styles and language development levels to experience first hand the delicate interdependence that exists in natural systems.
Students will develop a high level of interest and understanding as they are involved in the management of such an environment. The experience will be invaluable to my students education.
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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. Dawes and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.