Jones Gap Preparation

Third graders embark the week after spring break on our mountain trip to Jones Gap State Park.  We spent today preparing by doing some vocabulary review.  Students can continue to practice the must-know terms at this link.  We also looked at water quality test we will conduct at the park, layers of the forest, and life cycles of some of the macro-invertebrates we hope to find.  Students did a great job researching and composing their expert cards highlighting one of the many living organisms that calls Jones Gap home.  Take a look at their work!

Delany- Fetterbush
Srianeesh- Eastern Hemlock
Makell- Sassafrass
Brianna- Tulip Poplar
Kevin- Wild Violet
Kathleen- Foam Flower
Ivan- Sourwood
Rohan- American Beech

Acid Rain

Today students looked at acid rain as the possible culprit in the case of the dying fish of Gray Area. They tested the acidity of the Gray Area rain and also that of of the different bodies of water in the area.  We found some interesting results.  Next week we will learn more about acid rain and consult with our next suspect, the owner of the toy factory, to try to make sense of our findings.

We also continued our novel study of Listening to Crickets, and began research on the student selected plants and animals of Jones Gap to prepare our expert cards for the field study.

Richland County Judicial Center Field Study

We had a fantastic time observing the trial of Mr. Sticky Fingers and the case of the stolen cell phone. Students got to hear opening statements, observe evidence and witness testimonies from both the prosecution and defense, and take part in the the final verdict.  The beautiful day and outdoor lunch were a hit as well!

Jury duty.

The judge and court clerk.

The prosecutor addressing the jury.

The Defense answers student questions.

Project Share and Bio-Indicators

We started our day with some awesome Systems Project Presentations!  I am really proud of the products that were shared!  It has been great for the presenters as well as the audience to practice systems thinking and see the examples that are being shown.

 

Students took a closer look at the results from the waterslide chlorine tests, performed a bio-assessment of their own on a macro-invertebrate called daphnia to check the more long term effects of chlorine on the area, and examined some secret documents that provided further clues.