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Whitefield fourth-graders recently spent an exciting three days and two nights at the Driftwood Education Center on St. Simons Island. The field trip was designed to complement science and geography lessons already taking place in the classroom. It provided multiple opportunities for students to experience hands-on learning about ocean life, the salt marshes, Native American cultures, and seaside animal habitats.
Students explored the world of marine vertebrates and invertebrates, studied Georgia’s barrier islands and marshlands, learned about animal habitats, explored the beach, and studied a variety of reptiles. By holding snakes, touching alligators, and exploring turtle habitats, students learned to identify different species of reptiles and to tell the differences between a venomous and nonvenomous snake.
Students also got messy as they dissected a fish to learn about how each part of the fish worked. The dissection was not as messy as diving into a mud pit, however, in order to learn about detritus, the decomposing organic material mixed with sand and silt that makes up the pit.
“At Driftwood, every moment is a teachable moment, even playing in the mud,” said Melinda Lee, fourth-grade teacher. “I love to watch my students get out of their comfort zone as they do things they don’t normally get to do."
During the trip, the fourth graders learned about the Timucuan Indians who once inhabited the area. They learned how the Timucuan people worked, played, and hunted. They even had the oportunity to throw a spear, shoot an arrow with a bow, and use an atlatl.
The students also enjoyed night hikes and an evening beside a campfire, laughing at skits, sharing fun stories, and bonding with one another.
"My favorite part of the trip is when the students take a solo hike in the dark woods on the second night at camp," said Lee. "The spiritual lessons a child learns when he or she is walking along a dark path alone are absolutely amazing! That’s when you REALLY trust God’s guidance and protection! Of course, they’re totally safe with the teachers nearby…but it’s neat to see the growth that happens once that walk is taken!”
Whitefield fourth-graders recently spent an exciting three days and two nights at the Driftwood Education Center on St. Simons Island. The field trip was designed to complement science and geography lessons already taking place in the classroom. It provided multiple opportunities for students to experience hands-on learning about ocean life, the salt marshes, Native American cultures, and seaside animal habitats.
Students explored the world of marine vertebrates and invertebrates, studied Georgia’s barrier islands and marshlands, learned about animal habitats, explored the beach, and studied a variety of reptiles. By holding snakes, touching alligators, and exploring turtle habitats, students learned to identify different species of reptiles and to tell the differences between a venomous and nonvenomous snake.
Students also got messy as they dissected a fish to learn about how each part of the fish worked. The dissection was not as messy as diving into a mud pit, however, in order to learn about detritus, the decomposing organic material mixed with sand and silt that makes up the pit.
“At Driftwood, every moment is a teachable moment, even playing in the mud,” said Melinda Lee, fourth-grade teacher. “I love to watch my students get out of their comfort zone as they do things they don’t normally get to do."
During the trip, the fourth graders learned about the Timucuan Indians who once inhabited the area. They learned how the Timucuan people worked, played, and hunted. They even had the oportunity to throw a spear, shoot an arrow with a bow, and use an atlatl.
The students also enjoyed night hikes and an evening beside a campfire, laughing at skits, sharing fun stories, and bonding with one another.
"My favorite part of the trip is when the students take a solo hike in the dark woods on the second night at camp," said Lee. "The spiritual lessons a child learns when he or she is walking along a dark path alone are absolutely amazing! That’s when you REALLY trust God’s guidance and protection! Of course, they’re totally safe with the teachers nearby…but it’s neat to see the growth that happens once that walk is taken!”