Welcome to Change is Simple’s Online Learning!
Overview: Welcome to another Virtual Field Trip with Change is Simple! Today we will be exploring the Ipswich River in Ipswich, Massachusetts. If you tuned in to our Watershed Virtual Field Trip, we learned about the watershed on the North Shore of Massachusetts. In this Virtual Field Trip we explore where it all starts! The Ipswich River feeds Wenham Lake, which is a large source of water for a few towns. We are going to be taking a look to see how this affects the river. We also are going to see how much life is on the river. The river is a huge ecosystem that provides life to so many different species of plants and animals. Let’s see what we can find!!
Grade Level: K-6
Theme: Earth Systems, Natural Resources
Supervision needed? Yes
Essential Questions:
Name some animals that were seen. Did their life style impact the river?
What can impact the speed that the water flows in the river?
Why is it beneficial to have trees along each side of the river?
Why does the water level in the river get lower as the summer passes by?
Materials Needed:
Standards:
Welcome to Change is Simple’s Virtual Field Trip!
Welcome to another Virtual Field Trip with Change is Simple! Today we will be exploring the Ipswich River in Ipswich, Massachusetts. If you tuned in on Wednesday, we learned about the watershed on the North Shore of Massachusetts. In this Virtual Field Trip we explore where it all starts! The Ipswich River feeds Wenham Lake, which is a large source of water for a few towns. We are going to be taking a look to see how this affects the river. We also are going to see how much life is on the river. The river is a huge ecosystem that provides life to so many different species of plants and animals. Let’s see what we can find!!
This Virtual Field Trip takes place on two CiS paddle boards. If you’re interested in renting one of these inflatable boards to go on your own adventure, stay tuned for information on our website next week!
Throughout our trip, we identify a ton of different aspects of this river ecosystem. See if you can answer these question on a separate piece of paper.
Can you name 5 animals that Ethan and Dom talked about?
What are a few challenges that Ethan and Dom faced while paddling up the river?
When is the river at its highest point? What is the main cause of the low water levels?
What helps keep the banks of the river from eroding away?
There was a ton of evidence of this animal along our paddle. What was the animal and how does it effect the flow of the river?
Your turn!!!!!
Now that you have watched Ethan and Dom explore this new ecosystem it’s your turn to get out there! After you answer the refection questions get outside! With permission from a parent head out to explore a new ecosystem. No need to be paddle boarding down a river, as we learned this week there are so many different ecosystems right around us. Skye started the week off exploring a coastal ecosystem and Patrick and Lauren were exploring the forest ecosystem. No matter where you are there will be cool places to find and exciting things to see.
So let’s get out there!!
Reflection
What did you learn from today’s field trip?
How does the river change throughout the seasons?
What impact do humans have on the river?
How do you think we can conserve the Ipswich River ecosystem? (Think about its water levels, the higher the water level the more life the river can sustain)
Do you think that this river will look the same in 10 year? What do you think will change the most?