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Learn More about Discover Cayuga Lake

For Teachers

This page includes lesson plans & materials available from Finger Lakes Trout in the Classroom. 
(Updated 12/1/2022) 

1. Timely/Optional Activities (Supported & Independent Options)

  • Timely topics and class activities.  Each activity should include a lesson plan, worksheet and/or prep materials for independen use.    Of course, we are happy to assist!   
  • NYS Learning Standards are noted where possible.  
2.  Core TIC Class Visit Activities:  

  • Our core "Class Visit" Lesson Plans offered through the year.
  • Cross referenced by Next Generation Learning Standards.  
  • Most of these will be available all year, some with virtual adaptations!

3.   More Resources, available anytime (lesson plans, activities, etc.)

Program Contacts:  Teachers, DCL staff & volunteers for 2023.


I.    Activities & Resources for This Month
  1. Observing Alevin Development
  2. Measuring Trout Growth -- students directly measure individual trout and chart results over time (great participation option for virtual students): worksheet
II.   TIC "Core" Class Visits 
Scroll down for a sequential list of activities, roughly corresponding to seasons.  We are happy to share ELA, Math and other extensions.
  • Introductory Visits (October/November)  Once aquariums are set up and trout eggs are delivered, our instructors will visit you classes to provide an introduction and get to know your students.  This presentation varies with each class.  
  • Trout Color Adaptations & Camouflage  (December) We typically offer this guided lesson in December, but it is suitable for anytime after that, and also easy for teachers to use independently.  Focus on external markings, application of several "strategies" of camouflage employed by trout and other animals, and what can be inferred by understanding these strategies.  Wraps up with a fun, guided illustration activity.
      • Our Live Trout Food: Daphnia (suggest paired with feeding experiment)  In this lesson students can learn more about daphnia as a zooplankton, including exploring what zooplankton are, where they are found, and the conditions in which they live and thrive.  Daphnia are a truly incredible zooplankton and can continue to live in unusual conditions, making them a great plankton to study. 
      • Live Food Experiment  (January/February Only)  Students will observe the response of trout fry when a live zooplankton (daphnia) is introduced to their environment.  This lesson can be supported by TIC staff, but requires classroom teacher to lead the actual experimental process with students.  
      Video from Groton 7th grade Experiment.

        • Pollution Prevention in Streams (March)   New for 2023!  Students will participate in an on-site (school or home) pollution-potential evaluation, and explore the impacts to local trout and waterways.  Student teams will then research non-industrial pollution sources and propose strategies for reducing pollution from their school or home! 
        • Stream Insects and Health (April)
          We will actually be bringing live insect/stream samples to your classroom.  We'll focus on using the aquatic invertebrates, as indicators to assess stream health. We will review the life-cycles and adaptive characteristics of these insects, and then have the students use dichotomous keys to identify insect types (to the order) using live specimens. This lesson introduces the idea that we can learn, or infer, much about the function of a system (stream foodweb) by making scientific observations of individual components. Finally, we will feed a few insect larvae to the trout- always a great time!

        • Stream Release Field Trips (May)
          Field trips to various locations near schools.....  it is never too early to begin planning your spring trout release!  We highly encourage you to shoot for a May date.   Items to consider:
          • will the stream provide good habitat?
          • is the stream accessible and safe?
          • is it on public property, or in a location that students might be able to return to on their own?
          • Liz McCheyne's Trout Release Slideshow (great intro for Fifth Grade level from Master Teacher Liz McCheyne at South Seneca.)




        A.   Next Generation/NY Standards Cross Walk

        B.    Sequential list of Activities (Available as appropriate/on demand).  Many include a lesson plan, an outdoor activity or exploration suggestion, and an ELA option!  
        • Trout in the Classroom Videos:  Check out our youtube playlist on Trout in the Classroom content and see what other classrooms are doing with their trout and keep up to date with trout cams and other fun virtual activities!

        III.  MORE RESOURCES/Optional Activities.  
              
        • Predict the survival rate for your trout. Out of 100 eggs, how many are likely to survive until fingerlings are released in the spring? Take a classroom poll- have students choose from 0-25,26-50,51-75 or more than 75 survivors. Submit your results to the project coordinator for inclusion in our all-school poll!
        • Leaf-Pack Experiment  (Suitable for classes with access to a nearby stream.) We will focus on stream ecology and invertebrates as we prepare for trout releases in the spring, but as the leaves are falling, this is a great time to get started.  The Leaf-Pack Network makes it easy to design experiments, collect your own stream-insect samples and compare data with classes all over the world.  Tree identification, dichotomous keys, functional groups in ecology, scientific method.  See the Project Manual!  
        • Tank Mimic and Water Quality Class   Here is the Fall 2020 Tank and Water Quality Lesson for class (virtual and in-person). We are trying to flip the classroom and have videos for classes to watch beforehand and then answer questions during class time. Here are some water quality test videos from our youtube channel to watch with your class before our lesson: Ammonia; Nitrate; Nitrite; pH
        • Introduction to Virtual Trout   Here is the Fall 2020 Introductory Lesson for classes (virtual and in-person). We are intentionally keeping our programming flexible to best fit with each teachers' classroom needs and expectations. Please contact us with any questions, we are excited to meet with your classrooms and hope to set up virtual meetings soon!
        Alevin Stage (December)
        • Draw an adult trout!   Have students draw their idea of an adult trout.  Have a class discussion of similarities between student drawings, focusing on characteristics that the students suggest- body shape/size, number of fins, markings, etc.  Can the class work together to create reasonable expectations of what a trout looks like?  Keep drawings for comparison later on, and we will bring a yearling trout!
        • Read "Trout Are Made From Trees" by A. P. Sayre.   A great book for younger kids!
        • Red Cabbage Leaf pH Experiment:  Using one or two red cabbage leaves, students can test the acidity of water samples AND various household substances.  This is a good way to introduce regular water testing by students that will be required through the year, and it really works!

        Parr Stage (January thru March)

        Growth Chart - Avg, Min & Max.

        GROWTH MEASUREMENT & CHARTING - Your students can practice measurement and interpretation of scientific data, as they handle live trout!  

        Students can work in small teams to collect and measure a number of trout on any given day, resulting in average, mean, mode, minimum and maximum measurements which can be charted (right).  We'll be glad to visit your class and introduce the project, or you can use this lesson plan and worksheet.
        Measuring Trout Respiration Rates  From Master Teacher Liz McCheyne... 
        Trout Respiration and Experimental Design Lesson (Fifth Grade, South Seneca Elementary.)

         Everything Cycles: From Circuits to Nitrogen!  Help your students understand the importance of cycles in all natural systems, and draw a comparison between electrical circuits and the food chain/nitrogen cycle functioning in your aquarium.

        Trout Coloration - (After "swim-up" in December)
             The core of this presentation includes a slideshow, and a nature-illustration activity designed to encourage students to think critically about the appearance of their trout as adaptations for survival.  Students will have an opportunity to present a trout they have "discovered" and to discuss the markings and adaptations that make their fish unique.  For advanced classes, we can investigate the mechanisms that make color-change possible at the cellular level.  Some good starting research sites are:
        Trout Webquest Workbook,  From Science Teacher Lauren Hamilton, Newfield Middle School.  This is a great slideshow/workbook for students to conduct basic research and answer questions about their trout.  (Good for all virtual students!)

        Fingerling Stage to Spring (March thru May)

        Vernal Pool Investigation   Here is a home based lesson plan for use with your students.  With help from an older family member/caregiver, this can easily be completed with a quick walk, and 20 to 30 minutes indoors.  Household materials will be adequate.

              


          Classroom Aquaponics - A number of classes will add floating aquaponics kits to their aquariums, as  
          we approach spring.  But, this is dependent on the availability of sunlight in your classroom! The aquaponics activity, where we grow plants from seed using the nutrient-rich tank water, fits very well with 4th grade "Structures of Life" FOSS-kit activities.


          Field Activities for Students at Home:
          • Get to Know Your Streams   Here is the Stream Hike Lesson Plan we use with classes when we release your trout. Although we complete this activity with your class at the location and time of the trout release, it is possible to make this a family excursion or even an online activity (as per our post here).          
          • Trout Lily Reading/Observation    Lesson plan includes a brief essay on the natural history of the Trout Lily.  Students should use the information within as a guide for their interpretation of why trout lilies often bloom in great numbers near streams.

           

          STREAM RELEASE PREP - Depending on your plans for spring stream releases (May and June), we can be available to help your students prepare and get the most out of their experience.

          HISTORY CONNECTION - (4th Grade Link to new York State History!)
          The fishfood we feed our trout is based on a fish called "menhaden"- a critical base fish in Atlantic estuaries, and the original fish-fertilizer for the native American "Three Sisters".  the name "Menhaden" is linked to a native American word for fertilizer!  These fish are also known as "alewives" and were introduced to Cayuga Lake in the 1800s as a food source for BROWN TROUT and salmon!  Learn more about the role of these fish in American history at http://www.ethicurean.com/2009/03/23/menhaden/
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