We had a great day today!! We left the school shortly after 9:00 and arrived at the Vancouver Aquarium about 9:40. When we had divided into our little groups we had about 2 1/2 hours to explore and enjoy the animal exhibits. There were some changes from the last time we were there two years ago. The entrance has been moved and there are some new fish tanks, but the most exciting change is the addition of their new Africa Penguin colony.
The grade 2 & 3 students from Ms. Astorino’s class who had been with me last year had studied penguins, as a species, in great detail. They had also completed partner research on a particular penguin type. Following the Ministry of Education’s IRP’s (curriculum) we study plants and animals in alternating years. As this year was our ‘plant’ year this would make next year an ‘animal’ year for my next years’ class. Hmmm? perhaps a study of penguins is predicted!?!
Unfortunately the camera reflected back on itself but you can get the idea. Students had an opportunity to complete a ‘scientific observation’ paper on these flightless birds and all who did received a certificate stating that they were a Penguin Behaviour Expert.
As the three classes were split up into little groups, each group had different experiences. Many watched the dolphin or beluga whale show. Ms. Lam received a wet ‘present’ from the beluga as she and her group were sitting in the ‘splash’ zone. Many other students enjoyed the 4-D show and got wet there!! We were amazed to see how active the squid was – as in our many previous trips to the Aquarium we have almost never seen it even move! Today it was doing rather athletic calisthetics and contortions!! It must have been feeling energetic!
All groups met at the entrance at about 12:15 and we headed to the covered picnic area and playground for lunch. Students always get extra hungry when on field trips out in all that fresh air! They enjoyed some run-around time before we headed down to the beach at Lumberman’s Arch at 1:00.
With the bus picking us up at 2:15 we had about an hour to spend at beachcombing. Most students got right into the explorations with no persuasion at all. They loved it!! Only the ‘too large’ rocks went unturned – even though some were tried!
While some students were a bit reluctant to get up close and personal with the natural habitat (and live crabs), with a bit of persuasion they were willing to experiment with holding the dead crab shells that we found.
Aside from crabs we found lots of shells, some seaweed, and a few starfish hidden under a large rock. We also had a few ‘water walkers’ who spent the majority of their time wading through the shallows.
All in all it was a very fun, and very well-behaved, field trip. Thank you to the parents who came along to join in the fun today!
