3rd Grade Program

Use your senses to discover your local environment! 3rd Grade Students participate in a field trip program along the banks of Comanche Creek (fall) or Big Chico Creek (spring) where students are introduced to scientific investigation through the eyes of a pirate, learn about the culture of Native Californians, and explore the forest using senses other eyesight. The activities focus on 3rd grade science and social science content standards, including adaptation and habitat. Following one 50-minute class visit, students participate in field trip consisting of four 40-minute activity stations.

Partners: Mendocino National Forest (fall) and the City of Chico (spring)

Funders: Kids and Creeks Fundraising Efforts

Location: Comanche Creek (fall) and Big Chico Creek (spring)

Focus Concepts: Investigation and Experimentation, Animal and plant adaptations for various habitats, Native American Cultural awareness

Field Trip Activities:

Station 1: Song. Each group writes a verse that will be sung as a part of a group song after lunch.

Station 2 : Meet – A – Tree . Students are introduced to the concept of creatures that are adapted to using other senses instead of their eyes. Meet-A-Tree blindfold activity is modeled and conducted. At conclusion, students share their experience.

Station 3: Scientific Investigation. Students standing on a bridge drop leaves and/or sticks into the water to determine where the flow of the creek is the fastest. This evolves into a scientific experiment, where the students drop three more objects into different parts of the creek (right side, left side, middle) and then record the time it takes for their object to reach a known point on the creek. Students conclude by creating a map of the creek that takes incorporates their data.

Station 4: Native American Station. Students are introduced to the culture of the native peoples of California, and learn how the Mechoopda and other tribes had to “adapt” to survive in northern California.

Fall 2011 pics