During the month of June, the LSU AgCenter staff and Summer Intern along with 4-H Jr. Leaders, and AmeriCorp/Americas Wetlands Members offered summer enrichment programs to youth in the summer camp at Andrew Jackson Elementary School. Each class grades Kindergarten thru 5th grade received educational information twice a week.
The children in kindergarten, first, and second graders were exposed to character education through the Character Critters book series. After each story was read to campers followed by a brief discussion, the children participated in a hands-on art activity to reinforce the character trait being introduced. Character traits included trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
The focus for third, fourth, and fifth graders was on the environment. Lessons were presented in interactive ways engaging students in learning. There were four main focus areas: mammals, wetlands, wildlife, and Louisiana geography.
Pelts of Louisiana mammals were used to present interesting facts about Louisiana wildlife and their habitat. Students got to touch the pelts of mammals such as nutria, alligator, skunk, bob cat, beaver, otter, grey fox, red fox, opossum, mink, coyote, muskrat, racoon and white tail deer.
Using pans, water, clay, sponges, and towels, campers were shown how wetlands act as sponges to help protect the environment, but that new structures and buildings and parking lots negatively impact communities due to loss of green space. An activity followed that demonstrated how important the wetlands are as protection against storms.
During the wildlife focus, campers played a game that taught them about food chains. Charades was used as a way to introduce students to different types of wildlife. Students chose animals in the food chain and formed a food web out of yarn. Discussion followed about what would happen if a particular part of the food chain disappeared and how that would impact other animals in the food chain.
Louisiana geography focused on the state’s major bodies of water, major cities, and state facts. Students learned about where St. Bernard Parish is located in relationship to the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi River, and MRGO (Mississippi River Gulf Outlet).
On the last two days of camp students got to spend a day away from the classroom when they went on an environmental awareness field trip to the St. Bernard State Park. There, they were able to experience wild live by observing live alligators, turtles, rabbits, snakes and birds. Campers also went on a nature hike where they identified trees native to south Louisiana. They also participated in an activity about mammals, there eating habits and the use of natural resources. The highlight of the trip for campers was learning how assemble their own rod and reel, tie a chinch knot and attach a hook to a fishing pole. Campers then learned casting techniques where they aimed for and caught "back yard bass" (plastic fish designed for practicing casting techniques). Cooling off at the end of camp, participants made ice cream in a bag and created their own ice cream sundaes.
[Image: Character Critters Story]
[Image: Crafts]
[Image: Campers]
[Image: Pelts]
[Image: Pelts] | [Image: Nature Hike]
[Image: Assembling Fishing Poles]
[Image: Casting]
[Image: Catching Fish]
[Image: Eating Icecream] |