Angela Hutchinson Explore the Caves Field Trip 3rd Grade EDUC 224 Introduction to Scientific Inquiry November

r 7, 2013

Explore the Caves: Indiana Caverns This field trip is designed to teach third grader students about how caves are formed, cave animals, the process by which underground rock formations grow, and be able to identify several types of speleothems that are commonly found in limestone caverns. Standards:
Standard 2: Earth Science Core Standard: Observe, describe and identify rocks and minerals by their specific properties. (3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.2.4) Core Standard: Observe and describe how natural materials meet the needs of plants and animals (including humans). (3.2.5, 3.2.6) 3.2.1 Examine the physical properties of rock samples and sort them into categories based on size using simple tools such as sieves. 3.2.2 Observe the detailed characteristics of rocks and minerals. Identify rocks as being composed of different combinations of minerals. 3.2.4 Identify fossils and describe how they provide evidence about the plants and animals that lived long ago and the nature of their environment at that time. 3.2.5 Describe natural materials and give examples of how they sustain the lives of plants and animals. 3.2.6 Describe how the properties of earth materials make them useful to humans in different ways. Describe ways that humans have altered these resources to meet their needs for survival.

These standards are for third grade students. Caves are complied with sedimentary rock, minerals (limestone), and animals. Some caves are open to visitors and thus humans can also alter the resources of caves. Goals and Plans Goals/Objectives: Learn how water forms caves. Understand the chemical processes that create cave systems.

Establish historical and geographical importance of caves. Identify the limestone structures needed to establish a cave system. (1) Stalagmites (2) Stalactites (3) Pillars Understand the chemical reaction between limestone and acidic water that dissolves the bed. Be familiar with the environment within caves and how this affects wildlife.

Plans/Schedule: Before leaving, group the students in to the groups that they will be with during the duration of the trip. This will save time later. 8:00am - Leave the school at 8:00am (approximately 2 hours and 10 minute drive). o Review safety rules. o Trip to cave activity located in Pre-Activity are below. 10:10am - Arrive at Indiana Caverns, Green Acres Drive Southwest, Corydon, IN. o Upon arrival have the student get into their pre-planned groups. Since this is such a long trip, the students should be given the opportunity to use the restroom facilities. Once everyone has regrouped, take attendance to make sure that all students are present. o Purchase tickets: $6.50 per student @ 20students, plus $9.50 for one chaperone = $139.50. One teacher per every ten students and bus drivers are free. Made advanced reservations to save on time. 10:20am Begin the tour which will last approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. 11:40pm Complete tour and head to the picnic area for lunch. 11:45pm - Lunch 12:15pm Board the bus for the return to school. Take attendance when all students have been loaded on the bus. o Return trip activity located in Follow-up Activity below. 2:25pm - Arrival at school. Total cost for this is trip: $139.50 Cave cost $68.50 Bus driver expense + $50.00 Milk, juice, and snacks $258.00 Plans for transportation: A district school bus will used to transport the students on this field trip. The average for a driver is $10.50 an hour at 6.5 hour = $68.50.

Plans for meals and snacks: The students will be asked to bring a sack lunch. Make sure each students name is on their bag. Coolers will be provided to store lunches. Juice, milk, and snacks will be provided. Chaperones: Only one chaperone is needed for this trip. This trip requires that the student/teacher ratio be 10:1. Chaperone must have a background check prior to the trip and on record. Pre-activity: In-class: Begin the Exploring Caves (U.S. Department of Interior & U.S. Geological Survey, 1997) packet before going on the field trip. In this packet, there are five chapters of activities; the first four chapters should be completed before the trip. The chapters include: Chapter 1:Lost in the Cave, Chapter 2:Bat Shows off the Cave, Chapter 3:A Strange Lunch in the Cave, Chapter 4: Water and Cave Sculptures, and Chapter 5: Caves Guard and Past. The fifth chapter will be used during the trip. Students will need science journals and colored pencils for most of the activities. In the journal entries, students will use the vocabulary words that are introduced in the chapters. Each chapter in Exploring Caves has follow-up activities that include: discussion questions, vocabulary words, coloring pages, and writing activities. The lesson plans include: demonstrations, research/observations, and reading (U.S. Department of Interior & U.S. Geological Survey, 1997). Trip to cave: Each group is going to compile a list of questions to ask the tour guide during the tour. Have the students think back to some of the questions that were discussed in class. Read chapter 5 of Exploring Caves: Caves Guard the Past. Follow-up activity: Return trip: Allow the groups about 15 minutes of discussion time to review their questions and answers that were obtain on the tour. Then, each group will present what they learned on the tour. Use the discussion question in lesson 5.1 of Exploring Caves to create discussions among the students. Finally, the students will write a journal entry about their experience in a cave (What did you like the most? Least?), then compare it to the material and vocabulary that was taught in the classroom. Finally, the students will draw a diagram, in their journal, of an underground cavern. Safety/Medication issues: Permission/medication slips must be turned in before the trip that includes an emergency contact, listings of any allergies and or medical issues that may cause concern. If medication needs to be sent, it must be in its original container. A boat trip is included in this field trip and must be addressed in the permission slip.

Suggested Clothing: Due to the cool temperatures in the cave, students should bring a jacket. The temperature of the cave is 57 year around. Wear comfortable shoes, preferably tennis shoes or hiking boots.

Indiana Caverns Field Trip Permission Slip

Field Trip Details

What to bring

Location Indiana Caverns Date September 27, 2003 Time Please have your child at his or her classroom no later than 7:45am. Transportation School busses Cost Money for souvenirs (Optional) Notes There will be an adult chaperones in attendance along with your childs teacher. A 20 minute boat ride is included in the field trip.

Sack lunch labeled on the outside with your childs name. Note: Juice, milk, and snacks will be provided. Light jacket or sweatshirt. The cave is 57 degrees. Science journal and colored pencils Money for souvenirs (Optional) Note: No radio, cell phone, or other electronic device is allowed on this field trip. Any equipment of this kind will be taken away by the teacher and returned at the end of the day.

Cut off bottom portion of permission slip and return to your childs teacher by April 18, 2014.

Emergency Information In case of emergency, please contact: _____________________________________________________

Name/Relationship

_______________________
Phone

Special Instructions, Medications, or Allergies:(all medications need to be in original containers)

I give permission for my child, ________________________________to attend the field trip to Indiana Caverns on April 25, 2014. X ___________________________________________________ Parent or guardian signature _______________________ Date

References U.S. Department of Interior, & U.S. Geological Survey (1997). Exploring Caves. Retrieved October 10, 2013, from http://www.earthsciweek.org/forteachers/cavesguide.pdf