16 fourth graders make a reef ball
Fourth graders at the Barnesville School of Arts & Sciences got their hands dirty for oysters. In a partnership with the Poolesville High School Global Ecology Magnet program, Barnesville’s 16 fourth graders and several Poolesville students constructed an oyster reef ball for the Chesapeake Bay.
“Due to many environmental factors, the [Chesapeake Bay] oyster population has declined by 98 percent in the last hundreds of years,” explained Barnesville’s Fourth Grade Science Teacher Jodi Popielaski. “Many organizations are helping to replenish this important bivalve in the Bay. One way to help with this replenishment is by building oyster reef balls, a habit for the oysters.”
“[This project] was really fun because we can help oysters repopulate,” said fourth grader Miles C. “The oysters can hide in the reef balls so fishermen can’t catch them. It is really helpful to the population of the oysters.” The students from both schools worked together at Barnesville to create a reef ball by filling a plastic mold with large balls, an inflatable bladder and a mixture of concrete and cement. The Poolesville students supplied the constructed mold and assisted the fourth graders in the placement of the balls. The younger students also helped mix the concrete and cement and pour the thick liquid into the mold. Once the concrete-cement mixture hardened, the mold, balls and bladder were removed and the ball was placed in the Chesapeake Bay.
“Due to many environmental factors, the [Chesapeake Bay] oyster population has declined by 98 percent in the last hundreds of years,” explained Barnesville’s Fourth Grade Science Teacher Jodi Popielaski. “Many organizations are helping to replenish this important bivalve in the Bay. One way to help with this replenishment is by building oyster reef balls, a habit for the oysters.”
“[This project] was really fun because we can help oysters repopulate,” said fourth grader Miles C. “The oysters can hide in the reef balls so fishermen can’t catch them. It is really helpful to the population of the oysters.” The students from both schools worked together at Barnesville to create a reef ball by filling a plastic mold with large balls, an inflatable bladder and a mixture of concrete and cement. The Poolesville students supplied the constructed mold and assisted the fourth graders in the placement of the balls. The younger students also helped mix the concrete and cement and pour the thick liquid into the mold. Once the concrete-cement mixture hardened, the mold, balls and bladder were removed and the ball was placed in the Chesapeake Bay.
using our campus to put context to content - 16 fourth graders
Fourth grade students learn about the environment of the United States by region. Students compare their own environment and climate with the other regions of the U.S. by exploring our campus and making observations of trees, flowers, soil, and climate. Also, students read in their textbook, watch videos and search online for related information. During Social Studies, students learn about non-renewable resources, mining, reclamation, different types of farming including dry farming and over-farming that caused the Dust Bowl. As part of the yearlong state research project in 4th grade, each student researches their state’s natural resources including plants, animals, minerals, water, and soil. This information comes from books, almanacs, and online sources. |