- Prepare the students.
- Meet the problem.
- Complete Know/need to know.
- Develop Problem statement.
- Develop skills.
- Giather and share nformation.
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- Generate Solutions.
- Determine best fit solutions.
- Present Solutions.
- Debrief problem.
- Extend.
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Day 1
- Get invitation from 5th grade to participate.
- Meet the problem.
- Present the role of the student as a stream keeper.
- Develop Know/Need to Know with the 5th grade students.
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- Thinking Log: What do you see as your role
in this project? What are your interests and skills.
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Day 2
- First visit to Cress Creek Stream.
- Get overview.
- Draw detail of stream on drawing paper.
- Debrief.
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- Thinking Log: What are some problems that you can see in the stream? Some assets.
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Day 3
- Skill lesson on Stream Monitoring (5th grade gives lesson).
- Give out charts for macroinvertebrates.
- Set up tank for minnows and treat water in bass tank.
- Begin research topics.
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- Thinking Log: What skills would I like to develop?
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Day 4
- Choose a skill lesson or research a topic pertaining to the
creek.
- Record what is learned in Thinking Log.
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- Thinking Log: Record research or skill lesson choice.
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Day 5
- Prepare for the bass arrival.
- Continue research on topic choice.
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- Thinking Log: Record the day's activity, i.e. research, skill learning
or teaching.
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Day 6
- Bass arrive.
- Make observations of their activities.
- Take readings for tank maintenance.
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- Begin bass log with pictures and observations.
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Day 7
- Take field trip to stream.
- Monitor streams by careful observation.
- Do oxygen test, ammonia, nitrites, pH, and assess physical
properties of the stream.
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- Record data on chart at site.
- Compile data in classroom.
- Send combined data to Forest Preserve for entry into state
data bank.
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Day 8
- Set up schedule of tank testings and bass observation times.
- Record number of minnows eaten, condition of bass, and condition
of water in all tanks.
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- Record observations in bass log.
- Record any research activity.
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Day 9, 10
- View videotape "The Streamkeeper" Bill Nye.
- Discuss importance of diversity in a stream.
- Begin thinking of an area of expertise and an action plan.
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- Thinking Log: Reflect on the Stream Keeper. What are some things about
stream monitoring that you found new? What are your ideas for "Take Action?"
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Day 13
- Decide on area of expertise:
Smallmouth bass, chemist, care of tank, technology expert,
entomologist, invertebrate expert, stream technician,
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- Thinking Log: Record why you will be an expert in a stream-monitoring project.
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Day 14
- take field trip to Cress Creek Stream.
- Monitor stream and observations.
- Collect data carefully.
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- Record data on chart.
- Record compiled data about Cress Creek on DuPage web page.
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Day 15
- Care for bass, tank, and continue gathering information about
topic for "Take Action."
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- Thinking Log: How can I communicate the importance
of a clean stream to the community?
- Revisit Know/Need to know.
- Continue recording observations in Thinking Log and Bass Log.
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Day 16
- Continue monitoring aquariums and feeding and observing bass.
- Record observations.
- Generate topics for action plan.
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- Begin "Take Action" project by
choosing one of the generated topics or come up with your own.
- Decide if you will work with a group or alone.
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Day 17
- Collect data on tank health, bass conditions, and minnow
population.
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- Work on project in class.
- Discuss the question, is my plan an effective communication
tool for my audience?
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Day 21
- Release bass to river. We will keep two bass to raise over
the winter and release in the spring.
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- Reflect on the fate of the bass in the Thinking
Log and in your Bass Log.
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Day 22
- Complete preparations for project.
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- Develop rubric to score projects.
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Day 23
- Final day for project completion.
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- Thinking Log. Have I used my project to tell
what I wanted to tell?
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Day 24
- Present projects to class.
- Make arrangements for presentations to selected audience.
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- Thinking Log: Comment on classmates projects.
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