Hunting for Caterpillars with Ms. Lewis

Journal #15 The End of the Expedition

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:07:00 +0000

( Our last photo before we head our separate ways)

This will be my last journal entry for the expedition. I will still take questions from students and post the answers to the questions online, so all students should still complete all of the challenges. I will be back in the office on Wednesday so all students should be working on their reading packets when they are finished with challenges. Reading packets are due on Wednesday.

The last few days of the expedition were about collecting more caterpillars and identifying the types of caterpillars. We also took all of the caterpillars back to Tulane University where a student there will be in charge of them from here on out until they become adults. Once they are adults if the species is known they will release the adults if they are not parasitized and if the species is not known they will preserve the species.

I have mixed emotions about the expedition ending and about the expedition in its entirety. I enjoyed my time learning about Louisiana. The forest/swamp area of Louisiana reminded me of the everglades and the everglades is one of the most pristine environments. I am inspired by how New Orleans is rebuilding after Katrina and if you went there today you can't really tell how the Hurricane ravaged the city. Though I heard enough stories and to be honest New Orleans is still very unsafe and I can tell the stories to prove it.

My goal for this expedition was to inspire my students and let them know that they can do these things, to strengthen their connections to nature through me. I realize now that this goal would have only been fulfilled if they were with me. I also realize that if my students were with me they may have thought the whole expedition to be very tedious. We did sixteen surveys for caterpillars, even I was starting to think the whole process was tedious. This is different from who I am as a teacher in class. I want to inspire my students to be excited about science and heightened their desire for learning and for knowing more. I think my students enjoyed using the technology and this is probably the most valuable lesson from this expedition. Technology goes across the curriculum and this is the most valuable lesson for our students. If our students can submit assignments online, learn and comprehend through blog entries, they are on their way to succeeding in the workplace tomorrow. This is only one piece because my goal is to teach the students throughout the school year that the technology piece is one thing, but there are still books to read, and lessons to be learned without a computer or video camera in tow. For example our core values would certainly be lost if I was communicating everyday through skype.

I am glad to be home and every time I would skype with the students I would walk away when we were done and realized how much I missed them. It was interesting to see how other teachers teach their students as I was living with 6 other teachers during my stay in Louisiana. I would try to explain how special Girard is but I'm not really sure any of them can understand the magnitude of how wonderful the students are and why Girard is such a special place. If I have learned nothing on this expedition but to realize how lucky I am to professionally and privately then I deem it a true success.

Above is the English piece, the next part is the mathematics piece. For those interested in the numbers:

Our team:

*collected, photographed, identified, logged-in and cared for a total of 559 individual specimens (caterpillars) from plots and general collections in the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area.

*identified caterpillars from at least 12 different families of Lepidoptera

*completed 16 plots (which equates to leaf and herbivory estimations, and caterpillar collections on all plants in 1,256 square meters of dense, snake-, alligator-, hog-, chigger-, poison ivy- and mosquito-infested bottomland hardwood forest!)

***In addition Mrs. Lewis organized over 7,000 caterpillar photos and created a photo database and now has about fifteen fire ant bites!

Below is the photo of the bunkhouse. This is where I stayed with 9 other people and 1 bathroom. We slept, worked, and ate in this room.

The photo below is called the caterpillar rearing rack. This is where the caterpillars we collected lived.

This is good photograph showing you how small the caterpillars really are.

Student Questions And Answers

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:26:00 +0000

Tommy Eldridge and Micheal Hill asked:

1. Did I see any caterpillars with spikes?

Mrs. Lewis' Answer:

We did find some caterpillars with spikes. There was a caterpillar called the spiny oak . This is also in the stinging caterpillar family so it is not wise to touch it much. But it is very cool looking.

Challenge #13 Ask Away Because I Miss You

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:42:00 +0000

I have asked you a ton of questions, now it is your turn.

1. Ask me some questions about my trip
2. Ask me a caterpillar specific questions

The best questions I will post here with my answer!

Journal #14 Ecosystem Interactions

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:13:00 +0000

My time in Slidell, LA has really focused on ecosystem interactions. I talk to my students all the time about how everything is connected. There is a great line in the movie " The Lion King" where the father lion Mufusa tells Simba about a time when he will die and become the grass in which the zebras will eat from. Simba is perplexed because they eat zebras. These interactions are so important for the world to continue. I came out here hoping to study climate change and I really thought that I would see the forest damage beyond repair. The wonderful thing is even after Katrina, thing are up and running in the forest. I saw spiders hunting, and caterpillars thriving. We found way more caterpillars than the researchers expected us to find for this time of year. This is good news because even though storms like Katrina rock our social order, the order of nature is still thriving.

This realization as a scientist is so obvious but is also very telling. In one sense it means the world is able to adapt within a certain range. This is hard for me to grasp because I strive for my kids to change the world especially the environmental world. I am glad and relieved the world can survive and it is not repairable. In the same sense that the forest has adapted there is a delicate balance. This delicate balance can easily be disrupted. Thinking about this I came up with an analogy I would like to share with you. Imagine being on a seesaw. You and your friend are peacefully seesawing along. Then the big kid comes over and sits on your lap and the seesaw tips a certain way forcing one side to have to adapt and except the pure brunt of the force. If the kid is too big then your going to be sitting on the ground. So in our lives and definitely the earth needs a certain sense of balance to thrive and continue.

The amazing part that I think I want the students to realize is in this big grand scheme of things, we are just one tiny little part. Standing among the cypress trees, they are way bigger than what I could ever rise to be ( no short jokes here). I am just a small part. Even on this trip I was just a piece of the data. All of the caterpillars we collected were adding to the data and there will be a result one way or the other. The future is in our hands, the seesaw really is in our hands. We can choose to tip the seesaw or we can choose to balance it out. We often think that we are just one person, but think if everyone though that way.

In another way of thinking of all of this....if we choose to destroy the earth I feel pretty confident that long after we are gone, the earth will still continue and mother nature will reclaim its land.

Challenge #12: Finding Your Way Home

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:04:00 +0000

Everyone has one of these now a days. In fact some people cannot leave home without it. I am talking about a GPS unit. Check out the picture in case you have never seen one before. We have been using one in the field for a couple of reasons. One of the reasons is to keep track of where we have parked the car and the other reason is so that we can assign a location to the surveys that we do of the caterpillars.

1. What does GPS stand for?

2. How do GPS systems work?

3. Should we rely on these systems 100%, how accurate are they?

4. Most cell phones now have GPS. Some people think that we should attach GPS units to children's shoes to keep track of them. The flip side of all of this GPS is that people feel like it is invading their privacy. How do you feel about someone being able to track your every single move or at least your location with the use of GPS? Do you think it invades your privacy?

Challenge #11: Spanish Moss

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:56:00 +0000

Take a look at the picture:

The picture is of spanish moss. Spanish moss is all over the trees here. It gives the trees kind of a creepy kind of feeling. Historically though spanish moss was used for other purposes.

1. What are some of the things spanish moss has been used for ( hint: You use it everyday)

2. Do any animals eat spanish moss?

3. Does spanish moss hurt the tree or does it serve a purpose for the tree.

Journal Entry # 13

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:50:00 +0000

Look at my shoe!

Finally something I am good at! Yesterday I got the chance to kayak. We kayaked on the Pearl River which is near the Gulf of Mexico. In fact you could smell the salt in the air as we creeped closer to the gulf. We went kayaking because there are some of the areas of the wildlife management that we cannot reach on foot but only by boat. These areas are just as important to hunt for caterpillars so alas we kayaked. No alligators but some really yucky mud. The mud was so crazy that if felt like quicksand. Check out the picture.
The biggest hazard today was the fire ants and I fell victim to the fire ants and have about fifteen bites on my feet.

Halloween Pics

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:23:00 +0000

Here are a few. 7th grade remember to read the important message!

Important Message for 7th Grade

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:50:00 +0000

7th Graders: Most are doing a great job answering blog challenges..however there are a few who you can tell that aren't spending all that much time on their answers.

For example, I received about ten answers to the questions: What are cypress knees. Many students told me they were something decorative to put in my room rather than the scientific function. Cypress knees have a very important scientific function, tell me what it is!

So it is very important to read and answer the questions correctly if you want 100%.

I miss all of you and can't wait to see you in another week and a half!

Challenge #10 Animal Adaptations

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:20:00 +0000

7th Grade: We have talked about animal adaptations before. You learned a definition some time ago. Your challenge is all about animal adaptations.

Look at the pictures and answer the questions.

1. What is the definition of an adaptation?

2. In picture #1 what are some adaptations this animal may have? This is a saddleback caterpillar. You may have to look up some information before answering this question. ( HINT: Having this adaptation does not allow for this little guy to be making many friends)

3. In picture #2 what is the adaptation of this animal?

4. How do adaptations get started and how do they continue on for future generations. ( Take some time to think about this.. and think along the line of genetics)

Journal #11 Hurricane Katrina

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 23:58:00 +0000

I think one of the biggest questions that my seventh graders will have for me upon my return is about the Hurricane damage. To be honest I haven't seen a whole lot of damage. When you travel the area it is spotty. I bought a video that we can watch together about it so we can learn more about natural disasters. Everyone has a story though about it and it is something that has scarred the lives of the people who live here forever. Ihaven't been to some of the neighborhoods that have the most severe damage because they are not safe. There is unfortunately much discord right now in New Orleans.

Today I saw the above picture at the zoo. Even the zoo was damaged from the Hurricane. In this case the zoo had many bamboo trees and because of the hurricane they are now leaning. There are many environmental impacts that we don't get to see on the news. For example every time I go out in the forest there are a bunch of down trees. When I get back I want to look in further but there was a recent scientific project in which satellite imagery was used to assess damaged areas and specific forrested areas were giving a number based on the severity of their damage.

When things change... living things are forced to adapt. This is something that I am going to talk about all year in my seventh grade. Every topic that we will talk about has something to do with adaptations and surviving. Sometimes adaptations are for basic needs of survival. This is often what we mostly talk about in science class. For example certain animals can blend in very well with their surroundings, we call this camouflage.

There are other adaptations though that we don't get to talk about in science but they affect all of us. The better we are at being flexible the better we will psychologically and physically be. Such psychological adaptations sometimes get overlooked in science.

For example when one our classmates has an annoying habit. Instead of causing a disruption or make a comment, if we were just able to adapt and become flexible, our environment is greatly improved.

Many of our Girard students are so very good at adapting. They adapt to new teachers, new residential advisors and new students.

Challenge #9 Music of New Orleans

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 23:45:00 +0000

7th Grade: I have learned about some new music generes and I want you to know about them too! The audio clip may or may not work here. You should still find out the answers to the question:

1. What is zydeco? Tell me at least three things about it. If you are able to hear the music clip, is this something that you like?

Dikki%20Du%20and%20the%20Zydeco%20Krewe%20-%20Let%27s%20Straighten%20It%20Out.mp3

2. Some very famous musicians have come from New Orleans. Name at least two and find out something interesting about them.

Journal Entry #10 Hanging Out

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 23:01:00 +0000

Halloween in New Orleans is a crazy time. I saw many many costumes and some really creative

ones. I saw Mario, Luigi, and Wario! I saw a bunch of Oompa Loompas, a lot of rock stars and Sarah Pallin kept showing up in the weirdest places. The best part was riding the trolley car to the festivies with all of these people in costume on board. I think I have also officially become a fan of jazz bands! I can't wait to share some music with you when I get back.

I was a CH.. CH... Chia Pet. It was such an easy costume to put together. I was dressed in all green and then found some baby fish grass ( this is something you would get at pet store) and attached it to a hat and I was set.( I promise I will upload a picture of my costume when I can unload it off one of the team members' cameras)

We had one day off today and I spent it at the zoo all day. I was lucky they had a huge swamp festival going on with some music and some cajun food. Although they were selling alligator sausage I chickened out. Though alligator is so popular here that there is actually a hunting season for alligator. I thought I would share with you some pictures from the day.

Challenge #8 Some Halloween Voodoo

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:51:00 +0000

7th Grade: In honor of my time spent in New Orleans, let's learn about some haunted history.

Let me introduce to you....Marie Laveau. Your challenge:

1. Find out who Marie Laveau is?

2. Find out something about her that interests you

3. What is the legend surrounding Marie Laveau in New Orleans

Happy Haunting

P.S. Stay tuned for my post about my time in the haunted hotel.....:)

Off to New Orleans Tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:39:00 +0000

Today we spent most of the morning in the lab working on the specimens we collected. In the morning we do something called "zoo". This is where we care for the caterpillars that we have collected. It seems like they would be so easy to care for. They are the size of a pin head, what could they possibly need. Well they need a clean place to live and food to eat like most things in life. So we have to clean out the frass or the caterpillar poo out of the bags and then make sure they have enough leaves in the bag of the plant they were eating in the swamp. In addition to the zoo then we also have to identify specimens and we are collecting everyday so it is a process. I found a new one today and tomorrow I hope we get a good picture. It was one of those jellybean ones.

Also this morning I worked on a database for photos. I am trying to organize about 7000 caterpillar photos. Then off to the field this morning and I went off with two other teammates and we did a plot in the thick of all of these briar bushes. The most dangerous thing today I saw was the briar bushes... they hurt so bad and we hacked away a lot of it with a machete.

Tonight the team surprised me with a birthday cake. I was feeling a little homesick today because I miss my students and my family. I got to talk to 7D today and they surprised me with their birthday singing. It was sweet.

We are off to New Orleans tomorrow and leaving the swamp for the weekend. We are spending a little time at Tulane University and tomorrow night is Halloween and according to the researchers that I am with, it rivals Mardi Gras as the most celebrated holiday here.

Happy Halloween!

Challenge #7 Cyrpress Knees

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:25:00 +0000

7th grade: Look at this picture. The knobs sticking out are called "cypruss knees" because they are part of bald cypress trees. Scientists started studying the cypress trees and think they may have a function. Do some research and try to find out what the function of these might be in the ecosystem or the environment.

So your challenge is

1. Find out why cypress knees could possibly benefit the swamp environment.

Journal Entry #7 : Important Events Happen While I am Gone.

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 02:50:00 +0000

The Phillies win the world series and we will elect a new president while I am gone. Too very exciting events for most people.

What has been amazing around here is the people lining up early to vote. On our way out to the field we passed a church that was holding early voting and the line was over a mile long. This went on all day as we were returning from the field the line was still there.

Interesting that this election is so fired up. It is really on the minds of my teammates and as I learned growing up politics is a subject you should stay away talking about.

Journal Entry # 8

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:23:00 +0000

Today I got to conference with three of my classes. In between conferencing with my students I did lab work. Lab work consisted of taking care of the caterpillars we collected and also processing the new ones we collected. The processing means identifying what the caterpillars are and taking pictures of them. The biggest surprise and the biggest disappointment is how small the caterpillars are. I expected them to be bigger and they are about the size of a small pinhead. Seeing how tiny these animals are and how weird looking they are reminds me of how diverse life is really and intricate and special. Sometimes I think if people stopped to think about this the world would really be a better place to live.

Then in the afternoon we went out to the field and were gone pretty much all day and just got back and I hope that it is an early night to bed. Getting to bed at midnight or even later is starting to wear on me.

I miss my students but I want to encourage them to do their very best while I am gone. Sometimes we have a change or a disruption we have a hard time adjusting. Trust me I know about this. In these situations we absolutely have to do our best! I am expecting you to do your best and I am counting on you.

Some Caterpillar Shots

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:59:00 +0000

Take a look at these beauties. We found these yesterday. We are out to the field this afternoon..to find some more...

Journal Entry #6

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:04:00 +0000

This is a caterpillar from the geometridade family.

I wanted to share with you some pictures.....

I didn't take these out in the field but at the bunkhouse when we were finding out which caterpillars we collected.

Challenge #6

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:38:00 +0000

7th Grade:

For your challenge I need a couple of things:

1. Think about some questions that you want to ask me about my experience. Come up with at least three questions to ask me.
2. Find out about caterpillar anatomy. You should try to send me a picture and also explain the parts to me. What is the function of each part.
3. What is frass?

Some of these answers you may find when I talk to you via skype the next few days...if you are listening and paying attention.

I will talk to some of you tomorrow!

Journal Entry # 5

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:47:00 +0000

Today was a tiring but rather fun day out in the field. We spilt our team into two and divided the duties. In the morning I was on the field team. It was so much fun because wait until I show you the pictures of the area where we had to get to.

It was very cold this morning so I wore two pairs of pants, and we had to cross a huge swamp with water that at times was very deep. To get to the other side of the swamp we crossed on slippery rocks. Our research assistant was hitting logs with a machete to let the snakes know that we were there. When your standing on a very thin log with snakes possibly below you, it can be quite a nervous situation. But remember what I said, go on those adventures because when it was all said and done it was so much fun.

We spent the morning and some of the afternoon collecting caterpillars. We sampled a portion. Here is how it is done:

1. We have a 10 meter radius

2. We first try to collect as many caterpillars we can

3. We have to label and identify what each caterpillar is and what it eats. ( We take the caterpillars back to the bunkhouse to study them later)

4. Then while we are labeling the caterpillars, we also have to label what the trees are and how many leaves are in each tree, and how many of the leaves are eaten.

Needless to say this takes hours and you are exhausted when you come back.

We got back and then checked all the caterpillars in and decided what species each caterpillar was. ( This also took hours)

But check out some of the pictures of what I saw today... I am going to have the one with the spider framed! Look mom I'm no longer afraid of spiders!

My schedule For Today

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:10:00 +0000

I am out in the field this morning. I'll be back later

Check out this picture.

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Lewis) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:45:00 +0000

One of the teachers on the trip, Ms. Fenyman took this beautiful picture of the orb spider. I wanted to show this to you so you can definitely see the male is so much smaller than the female.

This is a strategy for most animals and when I get back and Terrapin starts you will notice this pattern or trend with them too.

You should see two spiders here. The larger one is the female and the smaller one is the male.