Mayflies and Mud Boots: Writing for the Stream Survey

From the Stream Team Folder

Every fall, Ms. Delgado's fifth graders pull on rubber boots and wade into Alder Brook, the shallow stream behind Lakeview School. They hold nets in the moving water, lift rocks, and count the tiny animals that wash into the nets. Many of these animals are young insects, such as mayfly and stonefly nymphs. Most kinds of these nymphs need clean water with plenty of oxygen, so finding lots of them is a good sign for the stream. Some caddisfly larvae even build tiny cases out of pebbles to live in. The survey also gives the class many reasons to write. Each group takes field notes so the class can add up every count back in the classroom. In the spring, the class shares a long report with families at Science Night. Here are four pieces from the Stream Team folder.

Piece 1: Field notes, written beside the stream in about five minutes
Oct. 9, Net 3, near the big rock
Water: cold, clear, and moving fast
Mayfly nymphs: 12, most under flat rocks
Stonefly nymphs: 4
Caddisfly cases: 7, made of tiny pebbles
Plastic bags: 2, in branches by footbridge

Piece 2: A sign for the trail post, written in one class period
Stream Science Zone
Tiny animals live under these rocks!
Please stay on the path.
Keep dogs on a leash near the water.
Thank you for helping Alder Brook.

Piece 3: An email to Ms. Patel, director of the town Parks Department, written in one class period
Dear Ms. Patel,
We are the fifth graders in Ms. Delgado's class at Lakeview School. Every fall, we study the tiny animals that live in Alder Brook. During this year's survey, we found plastic bags caught in the branches near the footbridge. Trash like this can wash downstream and harm the animals that live in the water. Could your crew put a trash can at the trail entrance? We would be glad to help keep the area clean.
Sincerely,
The Stream Team

Piece 4: Part of the Science Night report, written over three weeks of research, drafting, and revising with a partner
Why Mayflies Matter
Mayflies spend most of their lives underwater as nymphs. A nymph is a young insect that has not grown its wings yet. Most mayfly nymphs have small gills along the sides of their bodies. The gills take in oxygen from the water. Many kinds of mayflies need cool, clean water, so scientists use them as clues about a stream's health. For three falls in a row, our class has found mayfly nymphs in almost every net. That tells us that Alder Brook is a healthy home for stream animals.