Desert Outreach 4th grade field trip

By:

 

 

Spur Cross and Desert Outreach Presentations

All students in the fourth grade rode a horse on the Spur Cross Trail to see nature at work in Arizona.  At the end of the trail, a local conservation group, Desert Awareness,  presented AZ habitats and a hands- on desert ecology experience to the students.  Desert Awareness' mission is to educate the community about conservation and preservation of our desert, including its plants and animals.  As a follow up to the learning stations, a scientific survey of all the cactus types and trees along the trail was performed. A comparison of the rocks along the trail was done and students explored the history and flow patterns along Cave Creek.   Here are the standards that were covered:   

 

AZ STANDARDS ARTICULATION FOR 4^TH GRADE (based
on a full 90 minute program)

 

SOCIAL STUDIES: General

Fourth grade History Strands emphasize the history of Arizona and the Southwest from its earliest civilizations to modern
times.  Early civilizations and their encounters with Europenas provide historical foundation for the exploration and settlement of the Southwest.

 

SCIENCE:

Inquiry

-Differentiate inferences from observations (Concept 1: PO 1)

-Formulate a relevant question through observations that can be tested by an investigation (Concept 1: PO 2)

-Plan a simple investigation that identifies the variables to be controlled (Concept 2: PO2)

-Measure using appropriate tools (Concept 2: PO 4)

-Record data in an organized and appropriate format (Concept 2: PO 5)

-Analyze data obtained in a scientific investigation to identify trends (Concept 3: PO 1)

-Formulate conclusions based upon identified trends in data(Concept 3: PO 2)

-Develop new questions and predictions based upon data collected (Concept 3: PO 5)

-Choose an appropriate graphic representation for collected data (Concept 4: PO 2)

 

History and Nature of Science

-Explain various ways scientists generate ideas (Concept 2:PO 3)

 

Science in Personal & Social Perspectives

-Describe how natural events and human activities have positive and negative impacts on environments (Concept 1: PO 1)

-Evaluate the consequences of environmental occurrences that happen rapidly or over time (Concept 1: PO 2)

 

Life Science

-Compare structures in plants and animals that serve different functions in growth and survival (Concept 1: PO 1)

-Life Cycles/Food Chains (Concept 2)

-Describe the ways various resources are utilized to meet the needs of a population (Concept 3: PO 1)

-Differentiate renewable resources from nonrenewable resources (Concept 3: PO2)

-Analyze the effect that limited resources may have on an environment (Concept 3: PO 3)

-Describe ways in which resources can be conserved (Concept 3: PO4)

-Recognize that successful characteristics of populations are inherited traits that are favorable in a particular environment (Concept 4: PO1)

-Share examples of adaptations that allow plants and animals to survive (Concept 4)

 

Earth and Space Science

-Describe how currents and wind cause erosion and land changes (Concept 2: PO 2)

-Describe the role water plays in processes that alter the Earth (Concept 2: PO 3

-Identify Earth events that cause changes (Concept 2: PO5)

-Analyze evidence that indicates life and environmental conditions have changed (Concept 2: PO 5)

-Identify the sources of water within an environment (Concept 3: PO 1)

-Describe the distribution of water on the Earth’s surface(Concept 3: PO 2)

-Differentiate between weather and climate as they relate to the Southwest (Concept 3: PO 3)

 

Click here to see information on Spur Cross in Cave Creek, Arizona http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/spur_cross/

For information on Desert Awareness and their mission, click here http://www.azfcf.org/desert_awareness_index.html

 

 

Below is one of our student's brochure they created based on the information they learned from this experience: