 the animals, and maintaining the tank. When involved, they take a daily interest in observing activity and changes in the aquarium. Additional activities have been mentioned previously in this unit to continue study of the aquarium habitat throughout the year.
An excellent resource to the classroom teacher in New Haven is Schooner, Inc. This organization is a non-profit marine educational organization dedicated to the conservation and study of Long Island Sound and its tributaries. They trawl daily for animals from mid-April to mid-November and can help stock your aquarium with animals. Schooner, Inc. makes a point of working closely with the New Haven schools by providing hands-on programs to the classrooms and setting up outdoor shore trips. They also provide an excellent curriculum guide called Project Soundwise, A Curriculum and Teacher’s Guide to Long Island Sound for Grades K-4. Also a curriculum written for grades 5-8 has just been finished and will be available to teachers by 1996.
Peabody Museum Diorama Hunt
Peabody Museum of Natural History
Shoreline Diorama in the Hall of Southern New England
To identify some of the plants and animals that live in various wetland habitats.
Students will participate in finding and identifying animals and plants in a shoreline diorama.
The Peabody Museum of Natural History has outstanding exhibits which can be used as resources throughout the year. On the third floor there are numerous dioramas which reflect a wide variety of habitats such as; a mangrove swamp, a prairie, a desert, a tundra, a rainforest, and more. One diorama in particular can be used directly with this study of local wetlands. The shoreline diorama in the Hall of Southern New England shows three representations of local habitat communities, the seashore, the salt marsh, and the lowland farm including freshwater habitat. Some of the animals seen find their niche in more than one community such as the red-winged black bird, others have a very restricted niches and are limited to one single habitat, such as the fiddler crab. We also find a shell midden displayed here left by the Native Americans in this area dating between 4000 and 2000 B.C. Shell middens are mounds of waste left by the Native Americans usually consisting of discarded shells and bones. It is advisable for the teacher to visit the museum beforehand to become familiar with the diorama. A diorama which represents such a wide and varied range of habitats can be utilized in many ways with a class.
We begin in the classroom after our initial introduction of what wetlands are and descriptions of some of the different kinds of wetlands. Literature is read to the class about wetlands and the wildlife found there. Slides and/or pictures are then shown of several different wetlands and marshes which we find in our area. Talk about the types of animals most likely found there. See if the students can describe how each animal is adapted to living in a wetland habitat. For example, the heron’s long legs help it wade in shallow water while searching for food, or the duck’s webbed feet help it swim. Ranger Rick’s NatureScope called Wading into Wetlands provides a variety of useful information and activities for younger children as well as older children.
Primary children love to find and count things that are hidden. A hunt can be initiated using the shoreline diorama. The students could work either individually or in pairs. A list of animals and/or plants present in the diorama would be available to them. On this list would be the animal name. The students would then, after finding this animal in the diorama, write down where they found this animal; in the seashore, salt marsh, or lowlands. A number of points would be given for each animal or plant found. More points are given for animals and plants which are more difficult to find. A sample worksheet follows. At the end of the activity, the students add up the points they accumulated and prizes related to the study can be awarded. Everyone should receive a prize of acheivement.
Extensions and Options:
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