Survivor in the Saltmarsh

Why do birds fly, fish swim, and crabs crawl? Discover, through up-close animal encounters, what structures help saltmarsh organisms survive. Students will take a hike and observe wildlife found right here on this south bay wetland! They will be challenged by both familiar and unfamiliar structures.

PROGRAM LENGTH: 4 hours, 9:30am- 1:30pm

PLEASE PREPARE YOUR STUDENTS

We have chosen one lesson for you to do with your students before you come, titled ANIMAL SURVIVAL LESSON so they will have the optimal experience when they are here. Please use it to prepare your students. Please teach the second lesson, titled SUITED FOR SURVIVAL, within a week of completing your Coastal Education Program to expand on the material learned during Survivor in the Saltmarsh. There are many more resources for you and your students listed below as well!

PLAN OF THE DAY:

Your students will be able to participate in the Survivor in the Saltmarsh Lesson, a Docent-led Tour around the Living Coast to see birds, turtles and touch stingrays, complete a scavenger hunt and go for a hike or listen to a Read Aloud. Half of the day you will be with a Teacher or Docent and the other half of the day you will be leading your class through provided activities.

EXAMPLE SCHEDULE - Actual schedule may vary

Additional Resources

Below are other optional activities and resources related to the Survivor in the Saltmarsh Program

Student Information:

Ecology Article

Sea Star Article

Snake Article

Jelly Article

Bird of Prey Article

Teacher Background:

Survivor in the Saltmarsh Outline

Activities and Lessons:

Animal Survival Lesson

Suited For Survival

Communication Sights and Sounds

Garden Snail

Snail Worksheet

How is Color Used by Living Things

Sounds for Survival

Games, Songs and Crafts:

Bird Olympics


Standards:

NGSS

  • 4-LS1-1. Costruct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction

  • 4-LS1-2. Use a model to describe that animals receive different types of information through their senses, process the information in their brain, and respond to the information in different ways.

Common Core

ELA-Literacy.

  • SL.4.1B&C. Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles. Pose and respond to specific questions to clarify or follow up on information, and make comments that contribute to the discussion and link to the remarks of others.

  • SL.4.2. Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

  • L.4.6. Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal precise actions, emotions, or states of being and that are basic to a particular topic.