The Owlets are fully immersed in their Life on the Creek project, and their curiosity is flowing! To begin, students shared what they already knew about the creek and created a Wonder Wall to collect questions about what they hoped to discover. With a little practice learning that questions often begin with words like how, what, why, where, and who, the Owlets got right to work asking thoughtful questions. They were especially curious about the animals that live in the creek, where the water comes from, and where it goes. Their Wonder Wall is already filled with ideas, setting the stage for continued exploration and discovery.
The first investigation focused on the creek as a whole and its different features, including riffles, pools, bends, and the mouth. Inside the classroom, the Owlets worked together to create a beautiful creek mural. As their learning grows, students are adding labels and details such as rocks, logs, and trees. Animals will also find their way onto the mural as the Owlets learn more about the creatures that call the creek home.
As part of the investigation, students have been building their vocabulary by tracing new words and discussing what each creek feature means. One student offered a wonderful description of the creek’s mouth, explaining that it is “when the creek water spits out into a different creek.” Another helped create signs for riffles, the shallow, fast-moving sections of the creek. These conversations show how the Owlets are using their own words and observations to make sense of new concepts. Students also explored their creativity by using natural materials and art supplies to build their own miniature creeks.
One animal that has captured the Owlets’ attention is the pond turtle. Although no turtles have been spotted during creek walks, students learned that turtles enjoy living near the water and basking on rocks. After reading Turtle Splash, a counting story, the Owlets created their own turtles using cutout pieces to form the shells. They paid close attention to the red and yellow stripes on pond turtles’ heads, making sure to include these special details in their artwork.
The turtle investigation also brought together math, literacy, and art. Students counted their turtles, practiced writing numbers, and created their own turtle stories. Soon, these stories will become part of the classroom creek mural, adding another layer to the growing record of their discoveries.
Through questions, observation, hands-on exploration, and creative expression, the Owlets are learning to look closely at the natural world around them. Their Life on the Creek project is just beginning, and their curiosity is sure to lead to many more exciting discoveries!
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