Mill Pond Habitats Field Trip

Second grades in Burlington learn about Habitats in their Science curriculum. During their unit, they visit the Mill Pond Reservoir in Burlington to observe local plant and animal species, while discovering information about the local water source. They are introduced to the field trip by viewing this video: Habitats Intro Video.

Students visit 2 different habitats (field & vernal pool) to compare and contrast the habitats themselves and the living things that are found there.  We encourage classes to visit their own schoolyard as a 3rd habitat when they return to school. Students are placed into groups of 3 (3 jobs in groups: one person is recorder, other weather & temperature, other soil scientist) and each group works as scientists to fill out a Reservoir Field Trip Student Data Sheet at each of the habitats.  They record air temperature, water temperature and soil temperature. Students Collect soil samples for description (color, smell, contents) and fill out plant & animal observations. The data sheets will are brought back to the classroom to then analyze the data and make comparisons of the habitats.