Key Concepts: Plants and animals that
dispersed to Hawaii on the wind, the waves, or via birds are called
native. Native species that evolved to become unique are endemic.
Plants and animals that arrived with people are introduced. Endemic
waterbirds are vulnerable to predation by introduced species and
habitat loss. Plants and animals in the wetland have undergone
adaptations that help them survive in this environment. They form a
complex, interdependent food web within the wetlands.Goals: To foster an awareness, appreciation, and sense of stewardship of Hawaiian wetlands and waterbirds, with an emphasis on dispersal, adaptation and interdependence.
Objectives: Students will be able to describe the basic geography and biology of a Hawaiian wetland, locate and identify components of the wetland food web, demonstrate dispersal mechanisms of wetland plants and animals, and describe some of the adaptations that enable wetland organisms to thrive in their environment. Students will also be able to suggest several ways they can help care for wetlands in Hawaii.
Activities:
- Mucking in the Mud - Working in small groups,
students will venture to the water's edge on wooden pallets equipped
with nets. They'll probe in the mud, grasses and shallow water to
collect some of the smaller animals that live in the wetland. All
organisms will be shared with the larger group, and then gently
returned to their wetland homes.
- Wetland Walkabout - Students will explore and
investigate the path and vegetation along the edges of the wetlands.
Specific activities for each day will vary depending upon what's found
along the trail, but will probably include tasting pickleweed, blowing
cattail and pluchea seeds, investigating a trap, and analyzing tracks
and scat.
- Bird Bingo - After reviewing the adaptations of
Hawaiian wetland birds, students use binoculars to located birds within
the refuge, describe and discuss their behavior, and locate and
describe some of the more common wetland vegetation. A group game of
Bird Bingo in closing helps focus their attention on various aspects of
the ecology of the wetlands.
• Oahu Grade 3 Teacher Resource Guide - Honouliuli (PDF)
• Oahu Grade 3 Teacher Resource Guide - Pouhala (PDF)
• Maui Grade 3 Teacher Resource Guide (PDF)