Caitlyn+O'Neill

In my neighborhood, Marine Park, Brooklyn, there is a salt marsh environmental center. There is a wide range of birds, animals, and plant life within this ecosystem. There is a trail that is open to the public to walk through to view the waterfowl and the environment first hand. People can volunteer to restore the marsh in different ways for example they can help plant different types of vegetation. There are also lots of ways to involve kids. The purpose of this center is to maintain the beauty of the wetlands and demonstrate their importance to everyone in the community. http://www.saltmarshalliance.org/

The environmental center is used as classroom to teach different objectives about the environment. It is almost very informative about the history of the area. I would use this center to bring my class to learn about different aspects of this specific ecosystem. I think it would be great to get the children actually in the environment and see how it directly effects the animals and plants that live there. It would give the students a chance to witness different kinds of nature and how they interact with each other to make their ecosystem function. This salt marsh was actually filled with garbage and was restored to the environment it was originally. The children should learn that people are capable of destroying ecosystems that are homes to so many animals and birds and plant life and that it is wrong and they need to learn how to help prevent that from happening. This salt marsh is perfect for explaining restoration ecology since it was once destroyed and has now been restored to its original habitat. Its so important for children to learn the history and this center thinks its important as well which is why I chose this center.

I would use the wiki as a way to communicate information to students and parents. This would be a great way for parents to keep up with what the students are learning in great detail. It is also beneficial for those parents who live hectic lives are unable to speak to teachers directly. They can easily check the wiki page to see what their child should be working on and how it relates to the curriculum. I can also use the wiki in the classroom to show students pictures of what the salt marsh was like before it was actually created. It would be an easy way to access information quickly for myself and for the students as well. This also relates to the parents having easy access to the material being worked on in the classroom so they do not feel out of the loop. My wiki would also have options for parents and children to get involved in helping with the ongoing restoration process. This center has several different ways for anyone to get involved. Parents can volunteer if they choose to and children can become involved simply by learning not to liter and enforcing that with others and even in the classroom.

Comments on Pam Haskins' Wiki: I really liked that she put pictures up to demonstrate the environments she was speaking about in her wiki. I also liked that she incorporated a field trip like I did. I think it is important for students to witness these habitats first hand as does Pam. I also really appreciated the fact that she involved the kids in the environment because apparently may of them pass this specific water front on their way to school. I think having them learn details about something they see daily but do not know anything about is really great.