Mary E. Silveira School
San Rafael

Mrs. Colombo's 2nd Grade Class
     
A Year in the Life of the Salmon

Second graders in Mrs. Colombo and Mrs. Ryan's class at Mary E. Silveira in San Rafael began a year long project about salmon with the help of STRAW in November 2003.  Students studied Creek habitat and local plants and animals in preparation for their restoration project in December 2003 on Miller Creek at the Dixie Elementary School site in San Rafael.  They worked alongside parents and adults from the program to pull out invading blackberry and plant native willows and rose trees.

 

    

 

After formulating their questions about salmon, the students divided the questions into four categories of the salmon life cycle, habitat, interesting facts and the salmon body. Then they chose the group they were interested in researching.  The second graders learned how to use the internet and conduct searches for their questions.  Then they worked on class oral presentations in a variety of venues (dioramas, game shows) to teach the class their findings.
With the help from the Center for Ecoliteracy grant, the second grade teachers at Mary E. Silveira School were able to write grants to raise the funds to participate in Trout Unlimited, a program allowing students to raise steelhead in the classroom.  The eggs have hatched and the class is planning on releasing the fry to their natural habitat, Dry Creek in Healdsburg in late April.  What a great integrated, hands on learning experience for these second graders. 

                Thank you STRAW!

 

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