Students will learn about the life cycle of the American Shad and its importance to the Neuse River Basin. They will document the process of raising shad in the classroom. The life cycle of the shad and the systems, both fresh and salt water, that are essential to the process will be visually documented by students through nature journals and student created species field guides.
Student will begin this project by working in groups to discuss how the shad fit into the ecosystems within and around the river and create a list of the animals that might interact with the shad.
Once the class has compiled a list of the possible animals that benefit from the shad life cycle, they will look at Audubon prints (carolina parrot and curlew) as well as field guides of the various animals to see how they are portrayed by different artists.
Students will choose one of the animals on the the shad interaction list and create their own 8 x 10 in. double-sided Species Field Guide which will be hand-drawn and hand-written.
Next students will view examples of nature journaling by leading naturalists such as Claire Walker Leslie and John Muir Laws to provide students with background information for their own journals.
Students will create and personalize their own nature journals and will document the process of raising fish eggs and releasing the fry into the river.
Writer’s note: One day of the nature journaling required students to create a water color of the shad fry in the river. We began with simple watercolor techniques and then more experienced students shared some ideas about watercolors such as painting the background first and using small amounts of water. Once the watercolor was dry, students glued them into the nature journal.
Group discussion requires that students understand the inderdependence of different groups of animals, birds and fish near the river ecosystem.
Student Species Field Guides show attention to detail and documentation of an animals life cycle and habitat.
Nature journaling encourages close observation, page composition, research skills, patience and practice
Vocabulary
anadromous- Relating to fish, such as salmon or shad, that migrate up rivers from the sea to breed in fresh water
ecosystem- a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment
predator- an animal that lives by killing and eating other animals
prey- an animal that is hunted and killed by another for food.
Materials
paper for nature journals
colored pencils
watercolors and brushes
field guides
Links
Field guides:
Peterson Field Guides
Golden Guide Field Guides
Nature journals:
