3A Class Blog: Fighting Island

This past week, I had the opportunity to visit Fighting Island for teacher training. Our grade 3 class will be going to Fighting Island in the spring. Here is an overview of this exciting learning opportunity and some pictures of my day there.

Fighting Island is located near LaSalle. The GECDSB in partnership with BASF Chemical Company is provided learning opportunities for students in an outdoor classroom setting. Students will be taking a school bus to LaSalle where they will get on a Ferry for a 5 minute ride over to Fighting Island. A personal flotation device (life jacket) will be provided and each child MUST wear a device on the ferry. More specific information will be sent home in the spring about dates, times etc..

While students are on Fighting Island, they will be participating in a variety of Science Investigations including: bug and insect collection, seed and plant collection and soil collection and testing. The day is designed around the grade 3 Science Curriculum and more specifically around the needs and interest of OUR grade 3 class.

Here are some pictures from my recent visit.

Collecting bug and insect samples at the pond.

The view of LaSalle from Fighting Island

Investigating Deer Tracks

View from Fighting Island

DBO (Distiller Blow Off) at the bottom of a canal on Fighting Island. DBO is term applied to unusable by-products left over from the manufacturing of soda ash. DBO is a grayish-white, fine-grained solid that looks and feels like plaster. When it is wet, it has the consistency of toothpaste. For more information about Fighting Island on this Youtube:

Fighting Island