Third Grade Meets with Guest Experts about Nature

Third graders are studying local coastal zones and wetland ecosystems. The eighth graders were able to pass on some knowledge they have learned from their seventh and eighth grade science classes by taking the third graders on a naturalist hike through the outdoor Native Classroom and Restoration Garden on the back of campus. Eighth graders pointed out native species and invasive species, including three types of mangroves, palm trees, and pine trees. They explained tidal pools and how they affect the plants that grow along the marsh in Florida. Third graders took notes, wrote down names of species, and even sketched pictures along the way to add to their wetland journals.

Third graders then had the opportunity to go on a birding walk with Headmaster Mike Murphy around campus. Did you know he is an avid birder? Mr. Murphy had great information to share, and pointed out feathered friends that were right over the students' heads each day! Together they spotted monk parakeets, bald eagles, ospreys, mockingbirds, a downy woodpecker, an egret, a loggerhead shriker, and more bird species. They even saw "an iron bird," or what we know to be an airplane. Students noticed that there were no birds perched on the powerlines like there usually are. Mr. Murphy spotted why. A sparrow hawk was waiting patiently on a pole for any unintimidated prey. Mr. Murphy even taught the children how to mimic baby bird sounds so that adult birds would come down to save them.

Third grade students realized that birds on campus sound different, look different, and have different ways of protecting themselves. Soon the children will engage in an adaptation workshop to research various types of beaks that birds need in order to eat.

The next guest expert for third grade was Sydne Spinella, Program Manager of Keep Pinellas Beautiful. She introduced three types of vegetation students could find at nearby Crescent Lake Park. She focused on water lettuce and how we can all help the ecosystem at the Lake by removing this invasive species. This led to a field experience at Crescent Lake to look at the grounds. There students collected quite a few pieces of microtrash. They also noticed the biodiversity at Crescent Lake Park - many different types of plants and trees. 

Lindsay Cross of FL Conservation Voters also came to talk about wetlands to third graders. Meeting with experts of all levels helped third graders expand the learning in their wetlands unit.

Find more photos here.