Christy Garvin: Life's a River

Life's a River

11/04/2011

Benthic Macroinvertebrates

Lesson Essential Questions

1) How can we use various characteristics of benthos to positively identify the organisms?

2) How does collecting and identifying the benthic macroinvertebrates in our creek help us evaluate the quality of the water?

River kids have been a bit “buggy” recently as we have delved into a study of benthic macroinvertebrates. Also called benthos, these animals without a backbone are larger than 0.5 millimeters, live in our creeks and streams, and are an important part of the food chain. Because benthos does not move around very much, they are less able to escape the effects of temperature change, sediment, and other pollutants that diminish water quality. Therefore, they can give us reliable information on the quality of water in a stream. The basic principle behind the study of macroinvertebrates is that some species are more sensitive to pollution than others. So, if a stream site is inhabited by organisms that can tolerate pollution, and the pollution sensitive organisms are missing, a pollution problem is likely.

In order for our River Kids to monitor the benthos, they must first learn to identify the organisms. The last couple of weeks we have started creating benthic macroinvertebrate note cards, conducted research on specific organism, and played a game called “Macroinvertebrate Mayhem” that demonstrates how benthos are affected by pollution. Today we had a special treat; Rachel Small, a specialist from Cobb County Water, spent the entire day with us helping us learn more about these organisms. She set up a lab with specimens and detailed information about each organism and engaged students in several different activities.

We will review the benthic macroinvertebrates next week before leaving for a river trip where we will collect and identify the organisms; then, students will have a quiz on benthic macroinvertebrates on Friday, November 18^th. Students will be expected to look at a specimen and picture of the organism and then be able to write the name of that organism on a sheet of paper (no word bank will be provided). Please have your child study the note cards, Field Guide to Aquatic Macroinvertebrates, and Power Point Presentations I placed on the homework section of this blog.

11/04/2011 in Life's a River | Permalink

09/28/2011

The Water Molecule and The Water Cycle

Lesson Essential Questions

1. Why do we need to understand the chemical composition of water and its properties as we learn to be stewards of our local rivers?

2. In what ways does the water cycle provide fresh water around the earth?

3. What would happen if the water cycle stopped?

Vaughan's River Kids have spent the first few weeks of school studying the water molecule and its properties, states of matter, watersheds, and the water cycle. We learned that water is a polar molecule comprised of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Because of its polarity, water has some special properties such as: cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, and capillary action. We also learned about the five states of matter, but we discovered that water is found in only three states. Sublimation, evaporation, melting, freezing, condensation, and deposition are all processes by which matter can change states, and we did several experiments to see how these processes worked. Once we had grasped the basics of water and its properties and states of matter, we were ready to jump into the water cycle. Playing the game, "Blues Travelers" we made water cycle bracelets as we followed a drop of water's journey through the water cycle. We also conducted online research on the water cycle and had fun building terrariums that helped us understand the cycle even more thoroughly. We also enjoyed a watershed hike and River's Alive cleanup project that allowed us to get outside and take a look at the river will be assessing this year. Our next topic of study will be the benthic macroinvertebrates that inhabit streams and what they can tell us about the overall health of the stream.

09/28/2011 in Life's a River | Permalink

09/26/2011

Rivers Alive

A big thank you goes out to our Vaughan River Kids and all the parent chaperones who participated in the Rivers Alive event this past Friday, September 23^rd. Rivers Alive is Georgia's annual volunteer waterway cleanup event that targets all waterways in the state including streams, rivers, lakes, beaches, and wetlands. The mission of Rivers Alive is to create awareness of and involvement in the preservation of Georgia's water resources.

Vaughan’s third grade Target students (River Kids) collected 17 bags of trash (about 150 pounds) as they cleaned Noses Creek, which is part of the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. They found a basketball, paint cans, a shovel, glass, and all types of plastic and metal debris as they combed the banks looking for trash. It was a great day of fun, learning, protecting a precious resource, and helping our community. So thanks River Kids for being such good stewards of our natural resources!

I have posted a few pictures and a couple of video clips from our Rivers Alive cleanup event.

Video Clip 1 Download 100_0777