1-Pager
3rd Grade  Project 3 weeks

Fish Tales: Seasons & Water Types Adventure

Madelyn F
Updated
SCI.3.CC.2
SCI.3.CC.1
SCI.3.CC.4
SS.Geog1.a.4-5
SS.Geog1.c.4-5
+ 5 more
1-pager

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to engage third-grade students in exploring the relationship between water types, seasonal changes, and local fishing practices within their community. Through hands-on investigations, field visits, and collaborative storytelling, students will deepen their understanding of environmental sustainability, fish habitats, and traditional ecological knowledge. This project aims to develop critical thinking, effective communication, and self-directed learning competencies by encouraging students to connect local cultural practices with broader ecological challenges.

Learning goals

Students will explore the relationships between water types, seasons, and fish biodiversity in their community, developing scientific inquiry skills through hands-on investigations. They will learn to create and interpret maps and replicas, while understanding the importance of sustainable fishing practices and environmental stewardship. Through collaboration with community partners, students will gain insights into cultural perspectives on fishing and develop effective communication skills by sharing their findings with peers and a broader audience.

Standards
  • [Wisconsin] SCI.3.CC.2 - Students use science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas, and cause and effect relationships to make sense of phenomena and solve problems.
  • [Wisconsin] SCI.3.CC.1 - Students use science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas, and patterns to make sense of phenomena and solve problems.
  • [Wisconsin] SCI.3.CC.4 - Students use science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas, and an understanding of systems and models to make sense of phenomena and solve problems.
  • [Wisconsin] SS.Geog1.a.4-5 - Summarize how location (absolute and relative) affects people, places, and environment. Construct maps (paper or digital), charts, and graphs using appropriate elements (i.e., date, orientation, grid, scale, title, author, index, legend, situation)
  • [Wisconsin] SS.Geog1.c.4-5 - Create and label a map (paper or digital) of the local community, state, tribal lands, and country, including both physical (e.g., oceans and continents) and human (e.g., roads, buildings) characteristics. Identify and construct regions (digital or paper) in Wisconsin and the United States.
  • [Wisconsin] SCI.3.CC.1 - Students use science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas, and patterns to make sense of phenomena and solve problems.
Competencies
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
  • Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.
  • Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
  • Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.

Products

Students will individually pick a type of fish and become an expert. The students will present their fish findings at fish market, the whole 3rd grade is doing this. Each student will have a stand with their fish, and their findings, and the goal is to sell their fish to people that come to their stand. Friends, families, and other grade levels can go to the market to see the fish market.

Launch

Kick off the project by organizing a 'Fishing Explorers Day,' where students participate in interactive stations simulating local fishing methods across seasons. Include storytelling sessions with tribal community leaders to introduce traditional ecological knowledge and cultural narratives surrounding fishing. Wrap up with a collaborative presentation, where students brainstorm ideas on sustainability's role in preserving fish habitats, laying the foundation for their project exploration.

Exhibition

Students will organize a 'Fishing Through the Seasons Fair' to exhibit their learning outcomes. They will present their maps and replicas of local fishing environments, showcasing how different seasons and types of water influence fish populations and fishing strategies. The event will serve as an interactive platform for students to share insights with community members, encouraging dialogue and reflection on the sustainability and environmental challenges faced by local fish habitats about cultural narratives.