Habitat, Wetlands Marsh (Pescadero, California)

Area of Study: Fine Arts, Language Arts, Science, Fine Motor Skills. Ages 5 & Up.

Objective: Students demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics and adaptations of organisms living in wetlands, specifically a marsh.

Materials:

Wikki Stix
Wikki Stix wetlands marsh background (color or black & white)
Crayons
Construction paper (blue)
Shoe box
Notebook for writing the K-W-L chart, research and sketches of plants & animals.

Differentiating Instruction Tips:

Complete a K-W-L chart with your students as you introduce and complete the lesson. Students write the K-W-L chart on their note pads and use it to help guide their research.
Learning will be differentiated as students take notes on their research, report their findings to the class, and then create the plants and animals they researched. Provide books, magazines and access to approved, supervised on-line resources.

Student Instructions:

1. Color the marsh habitat background and use Wikki Stix to attach it to the back of the shoe box.
2. Cut blue construction paper and use Wikki Stix to attach it inside the box.
3. Cut and press green Wikki Stix inside the box to create grass inside the marsh.
4. After reviewing the K-W-L chart, students do their own research. Students decide what types of plants and animals they would like to put in the habitat. Students can use approved and supervised internet resources and books. Before students start creating their own plants and animals, a classroom discussion about the types of species students found living in the habitat can be useful. Then, students can discuss their findings, such as whether or not the species is endangered and what people can do to help the plants and animals.
5. Students create their own plants and animals using the Wikki Stix.

Examples of Plants and Animals Students Can Create:

Sea Grass – Press green Wikki Stix into the blue construction paper (water) onto the floor of the box.
Blue Heron – body (fold), neck (twist), head (ball), wings (press several together), eyes (small ball), beak (short strand), legs (strands).
Snowy Egret – body (fold), neck (twist), head (ball), wings (press several together), eyes (small ball), beak (short strand), legs (strands). To give the illusion of flight, press one side of the wings into the side of the box.
Western Pond Turtle – shell (roll), head (tiny roll & press a long strand at the end underneath the shell), limbs & tail (4 short strands attached under the shell), eyes (small ball). To make a rock for the turtle to rest on roll a few brown Wikki Stix.