Manor students create small worlds

Fifth-graders at the Seaford Manor School put down their pencils and got their hands dirty last week, as students in Candice Kaplan’s class built terrariums.

Using empty clear plastic soda bottles, the children created sustainable ecosystems that they will monitor and observe over the coming weeks and months. Split into three groups, the students worked together using a variety of materials, including rocks, soil, fish, plants and worms.

“This was just a great project,” said Assistant Principal Carrie Schozer, who joined Principal Debra Emmerich to watch the children in action on Oct. 2. “I liked that every kid had a little part to do.”

For several weeks, the class studied various ecosystems across the world, including rain forests, tundra and the desert. It culminated with a hands-on experiment that allowed the students to build their own ecosystem.

“I want them to understand how living and non-living things depend on each other and interact in a close environment,” Kaplan said.

Starting with an empty soda bottle, students cut off the top, filled the bottom with rocks, and added water. They then put in tiny fish, followed by a big, leafy plant. In a second soda bottle, they put in gravel, dirt, worms and some alfalfa seeds. The two parts were then connected and sealed as Kaplan and co-teacher Chelsea Bianco checked in on each group.

Kaplan said she has done a scaled-down version of this project in the past. “This year I kicked it up a notch,” she said. “I think it’s important to make the time for hands-on activities.”

James Watson said he enjoyed doing the project, and liked watching the fish swim around. He learned how with the plant in there, the fish will have a constant source of food.

He helped create the ecosystem by adding gravel to the top part, and even got to put in a few worms. “They felt slimy,” Watson said, “and they tickled when they moved around.”

Emmerich said that even with all the focus there is on reading, writing and math, teachers are finding time for great projects in social studies and science. “Look how engaging it was,” she said after watching the students build their terrariums. “The kids were so excited.”