October 19th, 2012

Since the creation of the “outdooredguys” blog almost two years ago we’ve encouraged students to become contributers, and they’ve come through on on several occasions – most notably Earth Day 2011.  This past week a grade 4 class from Brigadoon P.S. visited the Blair OEE Centre to study Habitats and Communities, and they’ve proved to be downright prolific in their writing on the topic.  Thanks to Mrs. Matessich and her students for sharing their perspectives with all of you!!

Here are the first few submissions, I’ll add more soon…

Fun in the Forest!
By Alex, Mohammad and Vishnu
Grade 3 / 4 at Brigadoon

When we where walking in the forest, we realized that every animal needs food, water, shelter and space. We also found some chickadees.
 We got the chickadee feeling. Chickadees are really cool birds. They love to eat sunflower seeds. If you are quiet and still, chickadees might come to you!

Life in the Field

Did you know that the grass is great for rabbits? There is a lot of space in the field. Since there are lots of plants in the field, the field needs lots of water for plants to grow. Many grasshoppers live in the field. Also there is a lot of weeds in the field. Now you know a field is an awesome habitat for many plants and animals!

By: Mackenna and Urmi

The Sneaky Predator

A fox is a predator. It’s prey is mice, fish, birds and insects. A fox can live in three habitats: forest, marsh and fields. That’s all about foxes.

By: Caleb, Tyler and Victor

S and S Weather Forcast

Welcome to your favourite broadcast!  
The weather forcast for October 16, 2012 at the Blair Outdoor Education Centre:
Windcurrent 5 km/h
Temperature 9 degrees calcius
Soil Conditions: moist
Sunshine Metre: H for HOT!
It looks like the conditions are perfect for many habitats!
Thank you for reading the news!

By: Shaan and Sam
Grade 4 Meteorologists

Editor’s Note:  Students use various instruments to measure and compare characteristics of the habitats including temperature, wind speed, light intensity and soil moisture.    (Peter)

Save Blair Creek

Blair Creek is the last cold water stream remaining in Kitchener.  It is the only stream that stays under 18 degrees celcius all year round.
It is the only place (one of the few) where yellow lady slippers grow.  You can find the beautiful turtle head flower at the creek.  
Other animals like: fresh water trout, frogs, chickadees and the dragon fly nymph live in the habitat too. Don’t make a road.  You will destroy the habitat!!!!
SO SAVE BLAIR CREEK!

By: Merik, Owen A., Ben, Owen T., Wesley, and Athena

Editor’s Note:  There is a proposal to extend Strasburg Road in Kitchener from Huron Road to New Dundee Road.  Several areas identified as habitat for locally at-risk species may be affected, including the headwaters of Blair Creek. (Peter)

Chickadee

Did you know Chickadees can remember where they hide up too 100 seeds?  
Their habitat is a forest.  Chickadees take turns taking seeds from the bird feeder.  
A chickadees favourite food is sunflower seeds.  So that’s all about chickadees.  

By: Elizabeth, Ava, Hannah and Nathan

The FROG BLOG

Frogs are amphibians.  They live in the creek.  They eat insects.  In the winter, they dig a hole under the water to hibernate.  
Some frogs are big, small, lumpy and poisonous.  Never touch colourful frogs because they could be poisonous.  
Frogs start out as eggs. Then they change into tadpoles.  Then they grow legs and arms and become frogs.  They live in a marsh habitat.  
Tadpoles live in the water, but when they are a full frog, they live mostly on land.  Time and time, frogs need to be by water or they will die.  
As you can see, frogs are cool creatures.  

By: Lucy, Arman and Declan