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.
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 opportunity 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.
When asked what her favorite part of the trip was, Bebe Mathews said, “Holding the snake was my favorite part. It helped me get over my fear of snakes, and it was really neat!”
Harper Barnes said that her favorite thing at Driftwood was going to the beach. She enjoyed learning the process of seining, which involves dragging a long, narrow net on the floor of the shallow part of the ocean. By participating in this activity, students can observe some of the animals and plants that have an ocean habitat.
Decker Kelly's favorite part of Driftwood was the mud pit. When asked why, he replied, “Because it’s not every day you get to play in the mud and NOT get in trouble!”
This is the trip of a lifetime for the fourth-graders!
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.
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 opportunity 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.
When asked what her favorite part of the trip was, Bebe Mathews said, “Holding the snake was my favorite part. It helped me get over my fear of snakes, and it was really neat!”
Harper Barnes said that her favorite thing at Driftwood was going to the beach. She enjoyed learning the process of seining, which involves dragging a long, narrow net on the floor of the shallow part of the ocean. By participating in this activity, students can observe some of the animals and plants that have an ocean habitat.
Decker Kelly's favorite part of Driftwood was the mud pit. When asked why, he replied, “Because it’s not every day you get to play in the mud and NOT get in trouble!”
This is the trip of a lifetime for the fourth-graders!