Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute!

First graders got to experience the effect of pollution on our environment first-hand with a special experiment this week.

Mrs. Bailey led both first grade classes in a special story telling the tale of how pollution begins with special first grade helpers! As she read parts of the story referring to "cars," "farmers" or "buildings," students came forward one by one to demonstrate how these affected clean water. For instance, cars represented oil going into the water, farmers represented fertilizer going into the water, etc.

As the story unfolded, she often stopped to ask:

• Would you drink this water?
• Would you swim in this water?
• Would animals drink from this water?
• If not, why not?

Students thoroughly enjoyed mixing the different components into the water themselves and seeing the effect on the waters' color and clarity. This project came at the end of their recent study of animals and habitats, which incorporated science, math, social responsibility and art.