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How Can We Learn More about Coho Salmon and Steelhead Trout?

Students use the Plight of the Salmon newspaper to complete several activity sheets as background information for their study of fish population issues, habitat requirements, life cycle, and stewardship projects.

Time required: 1 - hour Location: classroom/homework Suggested group size: partner activity or individual homework Subject(s): ecology, lifre science, social studies and lanhuage arts Concept(s) covered: habitat requirements, life cycles, creek ecology, human impacts, and stewardship Written by: Tricia Corsetti, Tomales Middle School Christie Denzel Anastasia, National Park Service Last updated: 07/01/00

Student Outcomes
At the end of this activity, the students will be able to:

• Complete reading comprehension activity sheets using the Plight of the Salmon newspaper.



• Understand the habitat requirements and environmental impact issues surrounding the coho salmon and steelhead trout.



• Understand the importance and role of the Coho and Steelhead Restoration Project of Point Reyes National Seashore.

California Science Standard Links (grades 6 – 8)
This activity is linked to the California Science Standards in the following areas:

6th grade:

5c - organisms can be categorized by functions;
5e - resources available and abiotic factors;
7d - communicate the steps and results from an investigation.

7th grade:

5d - reproduction;
7d - communicate the steps and results from an investigation.

National Science Standard Links (grades 5 – 8)
This activity is linked to the National Science Standards in the following areas:

• Content Standard A - Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data, develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence, think critically and logically to make the relationships between evidence and explanations, use mathematics in all aspects of scientific inquiry.



• Content Standard C - Structure and function in living systems, reproduction and heredity, regulation and behavior, populations and ecosystems, diversity and adaptations of organisms.



• Content Standard F - Populations, resources, and environments, risks and benefits, science and technology in society.

Materials
To be photocopied from this guide:

• Pre - and Post- Evaluation activity sheet (44K PDF document)
• "Plight of the Salmon" newspaper (2.1Mb PDF document)
• Vocabulary sheets located in Teacher's Preparation/Attachments
• Finding the Fish Facts activity sheet (52K PDF document)
• Migration and Its Challenges activity sheet (96K PDF document)
• Salmonid Life Cycle activity sheet(56K PDF document)

Vocabulary
Refer to vocabulary sheets located in Teacher's Preparation/Attachments

Procedures

1. Pre- and Post-evaluation
   Distribute Pre- and Post-evaluation activity sheets. Remind students this is not a graded test, but rather a measure of our success; each student will retake the same test after several lessons. (Note: You may choose to save these completed tests and redistribute in the first postvisit lesson. Students can change their answers based on what they have learned.)



2. Distribute newspaper
   Each student will need a copy of the newspaper, Plight of the Salmon. Students can work in pairs or individually to complete activities.



3. Reading Comprehension
   
   Read the Plight of the Salmon newspaper as a class and discuss the Coho and Steelhead Restoration Project.



4. Activity sheets
   Give each student appropriate activity sheets, vocabulary list, and instructions for completion.



5. Conclusions
   Review students' answers and relate these concepts to lessons already covered earlier in the year.

Extension ideas

1. After learning about the Coho and Steelhead Restoration Project, students can begin to brainstorm similar stewardship projects in their local areas for stream protection. These ideas will be used in a follow-up stewardship lesson.



2. Students can create life-cycle mobiles of the salmon to better understand habitat requirements at all stages of life for anadromous fish.



3. Students can create life-sized drawings of the coho salmon and steelhead trout to illustrate the differences in size and appearance of each species.



4. Students can conduct an investigation of other threatened or endangered salmon species. Compare and contrast the challenges and behaviors that need to be addressed to conserve these species.



5. Attend a workshop with Trout Unlimited to receive certification for raising steelhead trout eggs in the classroom (see Resources: Workshops and Classes).

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