Field Trip Scout Island
Scout Island Field Trip
5th Grade
DISCUSSION/RATIONALE
Students in 5th grade are taught Life Science and Earth Science Units. In order to create a learning experience that is hands-on, and applicable to their lives, students will visit Scout Island for a field trip. Scout Island offers teachers and students high-quality multi-grade level environmental education opportunities that expose participants to many valuable resources of our preserved natural area. Students explore the San Joaquin River Watershed, local geology, flora, fauna, and the cultural history in the riparian corridor of our river. At Scout Island, learners experience nature through hands-on activities specifically designed to meet California Education Standards and to enhance your school’s curriculum.
Standards related to this trip are:
5th Grade: 3.1, 3.7, 5.5 Physical Education: Canoeing
Participants are instructed in basic canoe skills, water safety, teamwork, and communication skills. After a canoe and safety orientation participants will practice paddling skills and techniques on the river. We believe that participation in the canoe program fosters water safety knowledge, land stewardship practices, and an appreciation of nature.
Service Learning: Community Environmental Activity
Investigations and Experimentation: 5th Grade: 6f-h. Water Quality
Students perform several water quality (physical-chemical) index tests to measure the water quality of the San Joaquin River at Scout Island. These tests include pH, total dissolved solids, turbidity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen. The results are used as a means of estimating the overall health of the Scout Island stretch of the river. The results are then assessed in relation to the salmon restoration project and the water quality parameters required by the salmon to survive.
or
5th Grade: 2a-c. Life science: Birds of Prey (The Flying Terminators)
A local Master Falconer presents live birds of prey while pointing out the adaptations for flight, predation, camouflage, behavior, and survival. Food webs that include these local predators are highlighted. This presentation allows the student to view these raptors in an up- close and non-threatening fashion not normally available in the wild.