Tule Ponds at Tyson Lagoon Field Trip
Reinforces the following
California Science Standards and Next Generation Science Standards for Second Grade (Plant and Animal Diversity)

Plant and Animal Diversity (Second Grade)  Students look at biodiversity of organisms in a wetland ecosystem. They tour Tule Ponds looking for plant and animal species including various native trees, and other plants, birds, butterflies, and frogs. They make a scene of the wetland habitat and record the diversity seen in their field experience.

The following are activities students will do
1. Reading of “Frog Tales “ and  “Painted Lady  “
2. Tour Tule Ponds wetland habitats with a focus on biodiversity
3. Define the needs of plants in their environment
4. Observe animal activities that disperse seeds
5. Record observations in biodiversity from field experience

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

Standards arranged by Disciplinary Core Ideas.  Codes in parenthesis represent Performance Standards.  For more detailed information visit   http://www.nextgenscience.org/next-generation-science-standards

SECOND GRADE
2-LS2.A:  Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
Plants depend on water and light to grow. (2-LS2-1)
2-LS2-2.       Develop a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants.Plants depend on animals for pollination or to move their seeds around. (2-LS2-2)
2-LS4-1  Make observations of plants and animals to compare diversity of life in different habitats

Ca Science Standards

Life Sciences

2. Plants and animals have predictable life cycles. As a basis for understanding this concept:

a. Students know that organisms reproduce offspring of their own kind and that the offspring resemble their parents and one another.

b. Students know the sequential stages of life cycles are different for different animals, such as butterflies, frogs, and mice.

c. Students know many characteristics of an organism are inherited from the parents. Some characteristics are caused or influenced by the environment.

f. Students know flowers and fruits are associated with reproduction in plants.

Earth Sciences

3. Earth is made of materials that have distinct properties and provide resources for human activities. As a basis for understanding this concept:

c. Students know that soil is made partly from weathered rock and partly from organic materials and that soils differ in their color, texture, capacity to retain water, and ability to support the growth of many kinds of plants.

Investigation and Experimentation

4. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept and addressing the content in the other three strands, students should develop their own questions and perform investigations. Students will:

c. Compare and sort common objects according to two or more physical attributes (color, shape, texture, size, weight).

d. Write or draw descriptions of a sequence of steps, events, and observations.

g. Follow oral instructions for a scientific investigation.