I have been doing some research as part of the Autumn Series of Outdoor Hour Challenges. I want to share an idea for a fall field trip that many of you may wish to incorporate into your homeschooling schedule in the next few months. A visit to your nearest fish hatchery is a wonderful opportunity to view fish up close.
Some states have annual fishing events at hatcheries for children. The best way I can tell you to find out if you have anything local is to do a Google Search with the words "fish hatchery YOUR STATE'S NAME". For example: fish hatchery California. I did this with several state's names inserted and came up with some wonderful events happening soon.
I wanted to give you a heads-up so you won't miss these opportunities and then learn a little bit more about some fish in the future with the Outdoor Hour Challenges. (Yes, we will be focusing on trout and salmon as part of one of the challenges in the coming months.)
Also fish related....sort of:
August 24th, 2010 1:05 PM
Full Sturgeon Moon
Information from www.space.com and another source Farmers Almanac
We are looking forward to visiting the hatchery during the spawning season this year. Last year we went in March and got to peek at all the babies. :) One thing that works for us - is to sit down as a family and think of questions - then see how technical our answers are. We made a list of these questions and went to the hatchery with them. :) It was a lot of fun, and the staff was amazing! http://pebblekeeper.wordpress.com/2010/03/09/field-trip-time-fish-hatchery/
ReplyDeleteOh and thanks for the tip about the full moon - Maybe we will challenge the boys to catch a trout today!
we ended up with our own fish hatchery this spring in our pond we built last spring...we had a few goldfish that survived the winter and had babies. it was fascinating to see them go from tiny little specs to their current size of about 1 1/2" (and still growing!) also, goldfish change colors as they grow and the kids were fascinated with this. the numbers of fish are dropping as they grow but we still have maybe 100 fish in our pond right now, lol. the bigger fish and frogs are working on that population but there's plenty of room for all of them for now.
ReplyDeletePebbblekeeper-That is a great idea! Questions take your study to the next level and I love that about the Handbook of Nature Study since it helps you lead an investigation rather than giving you dry facts.
ReplyDeleteTansy-Now that is a great way to learn about fish...to watch the complete cycle right in your own backyard. :)
We have a Hatchery right up the road, and are looking forward to visiting this fall.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Hope you have a grand new homeschool year.
Tammy