Description of Field Activities

Varied activities, especially those that are inquiry-based, prepare students to learn and help them to retain what knowledge they uncover during the experience. These are activities that took place in an outdoor setting. Please refer to the Learning Objectives and Unit Map Diagram to see how and when these activities fit into the themed unit.

Activity Description

Students rotated through different stations (which can be changed to meet the requirements of different age groups and classroom curricula).

Station #1: At the creek -- Water quality is deduced by observing what kind of invertebrate larvae are living in it. The Cache Creek Preserve has portable information boards, vials of different larvae specimens, and nets and pans for collecting larvae from the creek. Students collect and observe the larvae (and some vertebrates like small fish, tadpoles, etc.!) and deduce how healthy the creek is.

Station #2: At the wetlands -- The "Wild About Wetlands" kit has different kinds of bird beaks and bird feet. Students can observe these and try to figure out what kinds of birds possess them and why. For example, is that a foot used for swimming, or grasping prey, or clinging to a little branch...?

Station #3: Oak woodlands walk. Students learn about what kinds of plants and animals live in this habitat, discuss what the food chains are, and how the Native Americans used oaks and other plants and animals.

Station #4: Agriculture and pioneer history. Students learn about the history of settlers in the area, including farming techniques and challenges. The old barn on the Preserve houses some of the old farming equipment for students to see.

Station #5: Students spend time measuring and observing a Heritage Oak. How is this different than other oaks? What species depend on oaks?

Things to be done in the classroom before and after the field trip

Students learned about the natural history of Swainson's hawks, and where and why they might be found in the Preserve.

How are you going to know that you met your objectives and that the students learned what you wanted them to learn?

Students write in their science logbooks and present oral reports demonstrating what they have learned.

Activity Objectives The students will continue to discover what lives in various habitats at the Cache Creek Nature Preserve. Materials List Student log books and pens/pencils, disposable cameras for each group.

Activity Description

Before the second field trip, students individually decide what species of animal they want to look for or at least find signs of at the Preserve. Throughout this trip, students look for tracks, scat, nests, burrows, etc., as well as their actual animal, and recorded their observations in their science log books for sharing back in the classroom. Students also document their observations with drawings/sketches and photographs taken with disposable cameras.

Things to be done in the field that relate to the classroom activity

Students chose a particular animal species that they wanted to look for and find signs of at the Preserve.

How are you going to know that you met your objectives and that the students learned what you wanted them to learn?

Students write in their science log books and present oral reports demonstrating what they have learned.

CA Standards Satisfied by this Unit

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