Park Ranger visit

This week, we were lucky enough to have a park ranger from the Mississippi National River and Recreation area right here in St. Paul!  

Park Ranger Brian brought with him animal artifacts, such as scat and tracks to help us learn more about the animals that live in and around the river.

Check out a few of the pictures of all the fun we had!

Thanks for coming to visit, Brian!

If you want to learn more about the National Park right here in St. Paul, you can find more information on their website at
http://www.nps.gov/miss/index.htm

The River Otter

This week, we learned about one of the top predators of the Mississippi River, THE RIVER OTTER!

I have to give a great big "Thank You!" to the Barlow family for donating their amazing river otter costume to the school.  We had a blast dressing up as river otters as we learned about the adaptations that make them able to fish and play and live in the water.

Here are a few pictures of the kids as river otters.

WARNING:  CUTE PICS AHEAD!

Thanks for visiting!

Here fishy, fishy!

This week, our focus was on FISH!

Students were able to learn about fish through the art of Gyotaku, or fish printing.  Prior to our use of cameras, fishermen often recorded large or unusual specimens by creating an ink reproduction of their catch.

To do this, students first chose a native fish to print.  They could choose from a sunfish, trout, or walleye. 

Students then covered the top of the fish with paint, 

using a roller.

Then, we covered our art with a piece of paper.

Then, when we pulled the piece of paper off of our fish...

...we had a print of our fish to take home!

Some students also enjoyed "ice fishing" in the Nature Room this week.

Happy fishing!