Journal Activity Based on Field Trip to Reinstein Woods in Cheektowaga, New York

Grade Levels

12th Grade, 7th Grade

Course, Subject

Environment and Ecology (Agriculture), English Language Arts

Related Academic Standards

CC.1.4.5.B CC.1.4.5.B

Identify and introduce the topic clearly.

CC.1.4.5.C CC.1.4.5.C

Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic; include illustrations and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.

CC.1.4.5.H CC.1.4.5.H

Introduce the topic and state an opinion on the topic.

CC.1.4.5.I CC.1.4.5.I

Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details; draw from credible sources.

CC.1.4.5.W CC.1.4.5.W

Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; summarize or paraphrase information in notes and finished work, and provide a list of sources.

Expand

Additional Notes

This is used for a 5-point portfolio project for the June exam of grade 7 in my Life Science class. It can be modified to include a different nature preserve in your area.

Journal Set-Up

Prior to the field trip the students set up their journal to allow for sketching and note taking during the walk. The actual project description is copied and glued into the journal. A log is set up with the names of organisms that we might see and the potential locations where we might see them. Three journal pages are titled, Pond, Marsh, and Woods. These pages will be used for sketches and note taking during the walk.

Log for Journal - MS Word Doc

Log for Journal - PDF

Description

This is a 4-part project that is done both during the tour of Reinstein Woods and then completed after returning.

Essay - Write a 3-paragraph essay describing the field trip. Include what you did, what you saw and what you learned. Include an introduction describing why we went to Reinstein woods. Describe what you saw on the walk. Name and describe the living and nonliving things that you saw. Include a conclusion describing what you learned during the walk. Discuss ideas and things that you had never thought about or had never seen before.
Habitat Drawing - Choose one of the following habitats: swamp/marsh; pond; woods draw the habitat and show the plants and animals that were present. Give the names of several types of plants, trees and animals.
Beaver Activity - Draw and describe at least one piece of evidence of beaver activity at the pond or in the woods or the swamp.
Food Web - Construct a food web with at least 4 organisms that you saw or that live at Reinstein woods. Label each organism with its niche (producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, scavenger)

For information about the Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve, click here.

Duration

Nature walk is about an hour. The completion of the project will take several classes if it is done in school.

Journal Activity Based on Field Trip to Reinstein Woods in Cheektowaga, New York