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How Can Teachers, Chaperones, and Students Make the Most of Their Field Trip?

The following lesson plan is a suggestion of how to utilize the resources, locations, and the field guide contained in this curriculum to the benefit of students while visiting Point Reyes National Seashore.

Time required: 3 - hours Location: Point Reyes National Seashore Suggested group size: consult with Education Coordinator Subject(s): reading, langauge arts, science Concept(s) covered: stewardship education Written by: Christie Denzel Anastasia, National Park Service Last updated: 12/07/00

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

• Correctly identify different sexes and age classes of elephant seals.



• Accurately map colony populations from an aerial view.



• Observe and categorize social behaviors.



• Survey a habitat and determine its suitability for elephant seals.

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

6th grade:

5a - food webs
5b - organisms and the physical environment
5e - the number and types of organisms an ecosystem can support depends on the resources available and abiotic factors
7b - select and use appropriate tools and technology to perform tests, collect and display data
7f - interpret a simple scale map
7h - interpret changes in natural phenomena over time

7th grade:

3e - extinction and environment
7a - select and use appropriate tools and technology
7c - communicate logical connections

8th grade:

9b - evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of data

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

• Content Standard A - Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigation; Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data; Think critically and logically to make the relationships between evidence and explanations; Communicate scientific procedures and explanations.



• 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

Procedures

1. Reservations
   Please use the reservation form provided in this unit to contact the Seashore of your plans to do a self-guided, curriculum-based field trip to Point Reyes National Seashore. If you do not make reservations, you may find multiple school groups at the Elephant Seal Overlook and too many other students to effectively focus on the reason for your visit. Let the Education Coordinator know if you would also like to reserve the Elephant Seal Kit (see Teacher Preparation for kit contents.)



2. Prepare chaperones
   Advise chaperones that they will need to take an active role in this field trip. Each chaperone should have a copy of the field journal and be aware of what is expected of students on each page. Provide maps of the Chimney Rock area to each chaperone (see attachments in Teacher Preparation)



3. Travel to Bear Valley Visitor Center
   Bear Valley Visitor Center has modern bathroom facilities and running water if your students need a break from the bus. This is also the location to pick up your Elephant Seal Kit or clarify directions to the Elephant Seal Overlook.



4. Travel to Elephant Seal Overlook
   There are pit toilets at the overlook and a current tide chart on the bulletin board.



5. Form Groups
   Student and chaperones should be formed into two groups. After a set amount of time the two groups will swap locations. The first group will travel to the Lifeboat Station and the second group to the Elephant Seal Overlook. Chaperones in each group should know at which time they should start heading toward the other location. Budget in about a fifteen-minute walk between the two locations.



6. Things to keep in mind while walking with groups
   
   • There can be limited traffic on the paved road to the Historic Lifeboat Station. Be prepared to instruct your group to one side of road should a car approach.
   • The trail to the Elephant Seal Overlook is narrow and requires students to walk single-file. Also, there may be muddy and/or slippery conditions.
   • Returning from the Historic Lifeboat Station requires walking up a steep paved hill. Designate a halfway stop to facilitate group staying together.
   • Designate lunchtime. There are three picnic tables behind Historic Lifeboat Station and grassy areas near parking lot. There are no covered areas available in windy, rainy weather other than inside personal vehicles.
   • Restrooms are only located in the Chimney Rock Parking Lot.
   • There are no sources of potable water at this location.
   • Carry a first aid kit.



7. Field Journal Sheets
   Students will complete the same set of journal sheets at each location (Observation Sheet, Field Census, Behavior Survey, Behavior Field Notes, Habitat Survey). Chaperones can designate a set amount of time for each journal sheet to keep students progressing through the variety of observations. The Scar Card, Tagging and Marking of Pinnipeds, and Other Marine Species Sighting Log can be completed at either location, depending on time and observations.



8. How Can I Capture My Experience in a Poem or Drawing?
   If these optional journal activities (third on-site lesson) are included in your studentsŐ journals, allow time for completion. You may choose to have students sit quietly apart from each other to encourage contemplation and creativity.

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