Introduction to a Wetland

In the fall of 2011, Ms. Paulina Salvador’s second grade class from Agua Fria Elementary School was introduced to the Leonora Curtin Wetland Preserve.

We’ve often said that Mother Nature loves our school programs, and once again we were blessed with perfect, beautiful fall weather.
The children participated in various activities, which included matching a bird species with its nest, a game of bird bingo, learning how to identify different species of birds, what they like to eat, where they like to nest and a few facts about bird feathers and bones. They received a lesson on how to use binoculars and were able to spot several birds as they flew over the meadow. A Red-tailed Hawk even made an appearance….thank you again, Mother Nature!

The children also measured the circumference of a giant Rio Grande cottonwood to determine its age and discussed the height of the 90 ft. tree. And, of course, no class visit is complete without a visit to the pond to discover which critters enjoy its four habitats: edge, surface, mid-pond and bottom. Observation skills were apparent when each child drew all the colors they saw on this beautiful fall morning.

While each activity is fun, they all meet the New Mexico Benchmarks for Second Grade Science. All SFBG school activities are designed to meet state standards for every grade level participating in our programs. Thanks to the outstanding education docents who joined me in working with the children: Helen Woody, Carol Danielson, Fran Cole, Carol Johnson, Gary Johnson, Dodie Dean, Jeanne Gozigian, Chris Durlak, Cathy Gronquist and Denise Troy.
Thanks to Cristina Salvador who captured this perfect morning with a video.

Janice Tucker
Coordinator, Education Committee