Teacher Information Sheet

Water Managers Are Us

Fourth Grade Field Studies

Field Site: Monte Vista or Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge

Program Length: 3 Hours

Teacher: _________________


Date: __________________

Number of Students: ________
     

    Teacher Preparation

    1. Assign teachers/chaperones one of the three field lessons enclosed. A refuge staff person or volunteer will teach the INTRODUCTION.
    2. Insure students bring the following: field clothes (long pants, hats, jackets, old sneakers) water bottle, pencils, nutritious lunch.
    3. Fill out name-tags for each student and divide class into three groups.

    Recruit at least three chaperones/teachers who will be responsible for managing smaller groups


    Schedule

    • Introduction - Students review the scientific method and the concept of carrying capacity. Students are knighted biologists and wetland mangers and are given the task of making recommendations about how to manage the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge (Entire group).


    Divide into three groups for three one-hour stations.

    • Human Tracks :Students go on a scavenger hunt for human and natural features of the refuge (ditches, water control structures, gates fences, roads) and then connect these features to wildlife and human management on the Refuge. They make a value judgment whether these features help or hurt wildlife.
    • Station 2 and 3: Bio-Diversity Survey: Students follow the scientific method to explore the biodiversity (insects, birds, plants) to determine if an upland or a wetland has more biodiversity and abundance of animals. They take the same measurement in the wetland and upland.