4th Grade
Be a part of ongoing restoration efforts at Sycamore Grove! Students will have the opportunity to enhance native plant habitat in Bidwell Park while at the same time learn about the native flora and fauna. In addition, students will learn about the culture of Native Californians, and explore the forest canopy using binoculars to learn about the Park’s birds and their role in the ecosystem. The activities focus on 4th grade science and social science content standards, including food webs, food chains, and energy systems in the environment. Following one 50-minute class visit, students participate in field trip consisting of four 40-minute activity stations.
Partners: The City of Chico and the Mechoopda Tribe
Funders: Kids and Creeks Fundraising Efforts
Location: Sycamore Grove at Bidwell Park, behind Caper Acres
Focus Concepts: Food chains and food webs, Producers-Consumers-Decomposers, Predator-Prey relationships, Scientific observation, 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. “Wild Thing” or “Food Chain” are songs that relate to field trip themes.
Station 2 : Bird Hike: Students use binoculars to explore bird life in lower Bidwell Park, hike concepts focus on field trip themes, including ecosystem relations such as predator-prey and habitat.
Station 3: Non-native species removal. Students learn about Vinca (periwinkle), its adaptations for survival, and its role in the park as a non-native, invasive species. Students then work to remove vinca from select locations, as well as pull other non-natives, such as grass, from in and around native plantings in restoration areas.
Station 4: Native American Station. Students are introduced to the culture of the native peoples of California, and learn how the Mechoopda existed and interacted as a part of the ecosystem.
Fall 2011 pics
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