Caddo Lake

Caddo Lake is unique swamp ecosystem that sits on between Texas and Louisiana.  It is the only natural lake in Texas with the other being reservoirs.  Caddo has been designated a World Heritage Site and wildlife refuge.   The wildlife refuge is found near Karnak and Uncertain Texas.  This is a great place for fishing, birding, kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing and boating.   There are many quaint cabins to rent if you want to send the week.  It is a great place to relax and just enjoy nature.

I spent the weekend there with two of my teacher friends  and we collected plants for use in the classroom.  We all have a background in Aquatic Science..  I have taught Aquatics for 26 years and just recently retired. 

 I love Caddo and every time I go there I learn something new. This a great time to visit because the water lilies and lotus plants are in bloom.  This time I learned how to eat lotus seeds.  Native Americans have eaten the immature seeds like popcorn and I have shared that with my students.  However, I got a lesson on eating them from our great tour guide "Angie".   I thought they were good though I am not sure my friends were as enthusiastic  as i was.

cyprus is the main tree found at Caddo

Homes along the river at Caddo

Dawn, Cheryl and our tour guide Angie

Lotus bud

Ripened seed headAdd caption

Lotus flower being pollenated by bees. 

when eating, choose green immature seed heads

Remove the immature seeds and peel off the outer seed coat

Pop them in your mouth like popcorn!

Lotus Bloom

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Freshwater Ecology - Fall Term

Before students

The school year is almost here and I have a new project to test out.  Over the summer I spent 6 weeks participating in the RET (research experiences for teachers) program.  I developed a river model that can be used to demonstrate water quality and fish behavior.   I want to try a number of different experiments using it.    It does take up a lot of room I think it will be worth it.

Students arrive

This year the goal is "strategic design" and "problem based learning".    While the approach is not totally knew it does require some modification of my existing lesson plans.   

Our first project is our water properties and issues project.  Students chose and demonstrate one of the properties of water.   They can demonstrate in class or video tape their demonstration and show that to the class.  They also have to engage the class through questioning,  mini demonstration for each group, or survey.  It should be very interesting.

Along with demonstrations students have to connect the property to the aquatic environment.  This seems to be the hardest part of the project.    Tried explaining things a little different this time - so we will see tomorrow

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