Mrs. Eichert’s First and Second Grade Class Mary Collins School at Cherry Valley
	While we studied watersheds, water quality, birds, native plants and restoration techniques, the focus of our work this year was on insects. We began our study in the Fall with a trip to Schollenberger Park where we collected, identified and compared insects living in the Petaluma River to those in the saltier bay side.
		Students took sifting the mud seriously and enjoyed immersing themselves in the roles of scientists.

	We kept journals throughout the year to record questions, findings and drawings.

	We took 8 walks to a nearby drainage area and began a longer term study of the ecosystem in our backyard. On our trips to Magnolia Park we saw the seasons change and looked at how that affected the plant, animal and insect species.
	We helped in a restoration project at the Graham Ranch. The kids were amazing in their determination to see things through and to make sure conditions were just right for the plants going in.
	As they said, ”Our restoration day felt like real work. We were helping make a difference.”
	From the value of hard work, to teamwork, to plant identification, growth and basic restoration principles, we learned more in a day than I could ever have imagined.