Contents List
Activities:
Wetland Metaphors!
· Compare the characteristics, functions, and benefits of wetlands to common objects. Metaphor items in Slides. Metaphor items in a Document.
Wetland Observations and Data Sheet
· Visit a local area and make observations about the area’s hydrology, soils, and vegetation. Use those observations to determine if the area is a wetland, what type of wetland it is, and approximately where the wetland boundaries are. Print your own soil color chart – don’t forget to cut out the white squares!
Wetland Types
· Students will learn about six common types of wetlands, which are a saltwater marsh, a mangrove swamp, a freshwater swamp, a freshwater marsh, a fen, and a bog. Then they will match the pictures of wetlands to their corresponding descriptions.
Wetland Animals
Students will identify common wetlands animals through a series of clues. Click here for Clue Cards.
Click here for Poster 1 Poster 2.
Temporary Wetland Survivor
· Participate in a scavenger hunt to simulate the race against time that occurs in a temporary wetland. Secure shelter, find food and water, and find a mate before time runs out and the temporary wetland dries up. Click here for the Wetland Survivor cards.
Web of Life
· Create a wetland food web, learn organisms’ roles in a wetland ecosystem and discuss how energy and potentially toxins are passed through the food web.
Treatment Plants
· Observe how wetland plants filter water through a demonstration using celery and food coloring.
This Plant Key is All Wet!
· Learn to use a plant key to identify pictures of mystery wetland emergent plants in the classroom. Use your new skill to identify wetland plants in the field.
Water Plant Art
· Students will explore and identify aquatic plant life and create a piece of artwork using plants.
Cattail Check-Up
· Investigate cattail adaptations through observation, reading, and drawing. Worksheet.
Marsh Madness
· Match given scenarios with appropriate wetland regulations to gain points. Avoid violations that are issued when scenarios and regulations are mismatched. Use clues as necessary to help determine the connection between scenarios and regulations. Click here for Marsh Madness cards.
Town Hall Meeting
· Decide what to do when wetlands regulations and development intersect. Be a stakeholder and role-play in a town hall meeting to express your views and concerns about proposed developments near wetland habitat. Click here for Scenario Roles. No Run of the Mill Mall Article
Wetlands Creek Geek Knowledgy
·Review what you’ve learned in other module activities in Creek Connections’ version of Jeopardy. Click here for Middle School version.
VIDEO – Freshwater Wetlands
· Take a virtual tour of several types of wetlands, observe flora, fauna, and soils, and use what you learn to complete a worksheet.
Presentation – What Is a Wetland?
· Present this Creek Connections original presentation as an introduction to wetlands to your students.