Liz Jackson’s Home Schoolers June 5 & 6

Four elementary school age students and six parent/teachers spent two days at Sedge as a part of their ongoing science curriculum. Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Liz Jackson, who works with the parents and kids on a monthly basis at the Hackettstown Fish Hatchery, coordinated the program. Liz had taught the students some scientific techniques before they arrived at Sedge. While at Sedge Island, they did field work which reinforced prior learning about osprey and peregrine falcon.

Paddling kayaks into the twisting channels carved into the sod banks, they were able to feel like they were almost part of this ecosystem. They got into the environment even more when they snorkeled for almost a full hour in the clear but still chilly bay water. These kids were tough!

On the last day parents, students, and sedge staff all took the stage for individual performances. Each person had to act out the part of one of the animals that they had learned about. The students also had to demonstrate (without talking), some habitat features for their animal. The audience then had to guess which animal they were. In addition to being quite entertaining, this was a very effective method for teaching about our wildlife.