Our River Trip was amazing!!!

The students were connected to nature today in the best classroom there is.  Miss Chrusciel and Mrs. Ackerman's classes headed to Groton, Massachusetts to the Squanntacook River. This is tributary off the Nashua River.  What a beautiful place.  We got there by walking on a broken down railroad track.

 This opened up to a new world of wildlife.  Students were in awe of this beautiful place.

 The environmental educators pulled us together and told us about our day. We would be canoe and testing the water quality.

 Here we are getting our life jackets on and finding a paddle that fits our height.

 I did not take my camera on the river because I did not want to lose my cell phone. A few parents took pics and I will send them out soon!!! On the river the students learned to paddle up and down the river, observe the wildlife, switch places while in a raft setting and becoming an expert on an organism. Ask your child what they learned about!! We all got to see a blue crane that flew off along with a bunch of turkey vultures and red tailed hawks swarming above our heads.

 We made it back!!!

 Port-a-potty was a little joint through the woods.

 This was our land activity. Students used nets to find material above the sand and put into a plastic bin. Students would then use what they find to determine the water quality of the river,

 Here they are examining "bugs" and finding out what are whirligig and some are dragonfly nymphs.

They learned so much today. We can not thank the Nashua River Watershed enough for this experience. Here is a link to there site if you would like to read more about this wonderful organization.  Nashua Watershed Association