Field Science Also WASL Prep

Sara Lerner
05/31/2007

In yesterday's (Wed.) 80 degree weather, a few Seattle 4th–graders studied eco–systems, invertebrates, and field investigations–right in their school's backyard. They might think it's a regular science lesson, but they're actually, little by little, preparing for the WASL. KUOW's Sara Lerner reports.

IT'S HOT.

MOUNT RAINIER IS CRYSTAL CLEAR TODAY, AND IT SITS BEYOND ONE CORNER OF BAILEY GATZERT ELEMENTARY'S PLAYGROUND.

AT THE OTHER CORNER, TRAFFIC WHIZZES BY. IT'S BUSY 12TH AND YESLER.

LINDA VERSAGE SITS IN THE MIDDLE OF A FIELD WITH SEVERAL KIDS. THEY'RE CARRYING CLIPBOARDS AND PENS WITH THIS ASSIGNMENT.

VERSAGE: "Together you're gonna look at everybody's data and you're gonna come up as a class with a conclusion to the answer to the question–do more ground invertebrates live in the grass or in a sheltered location?"

VERSAGE SPENTS MONTHS WRITING THIS FIELD INVESTIGATION. SINCE TODAY'S LESSON IS THE PILOT, SHE'S HELPING TEACH IT.

VERSAGE IS WITH A SEATTLE NON–PROFIT CALLED HOMEWATERS THAT HELPS SCHOOLS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.

VERSAGE "We're trying to help students connect with the nature that is right outside their door."

LOTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS WORK WITH SCHOOLS TO TEACH KIDS, BUT THIS FIELD INVESTIGATION WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TO INCORPORATE SO MUCH OF THE SCHOOL'S STANDARD LEARNING REQUIREMENTS. THAT'S STUFF THAT THEY'LL EVENTUALLY BE TESTED ON IN THE WASL.

KATHERINE SHOW IS WITH SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. SHE WORKED CLOSELY WITH VERSAGE TO WRITE THE PROGRAM.

SHOW: "Knowing that students will be assessed on the standards in the spring of their 5th grade year, it's very important that teachers begin to prepare students from kindergarten. So as we develop curricular extensions such as this field investigation outdoors, why not just fold in some of the WASL format and vocabulary."

KIDS AND VERSAGE: "Are you guys ready? Oh god those invertebrates! Look at 'em! Count em! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7–20!!"

EVEN THOUGH THIS IS THE STUFF OF TESTING THESE 4TH GRADERS DON'T EVEN HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE WASL TIL NEXT YEAR.

SARA LERNER, KUOW NEWS.

℗ Copyright 2007, KUOW News