Third graders dive into ichthyology

In Lower School's Young Naturalist program, third grade raised and released trout into the Caney Fork River. They studied the trout lifecycle and trout anatomy.
By Lauren Hagan, LS Naturalist Teacher

“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs." — Norman Maclean in "A River Runs Through It"

This quote was read at the closing circle of our trout release at the Caney Fork River as third-grade ichthyologists wrapped up their study of the fish on Monday, November 22.

Leading up to our release, students visited Fifth Grade Science Teacher Tobey Balzer’s '02 lab to learn more about trout anatomy by participating in a dissection. Students prepared for the dissection by watching videos and studying detailed diagrams of trout organ systems. Of course, we didn’t dissect our own fingerlings. The fish for dissection were retrieved from the Flintville Fish Hatchery, which happens to be the oldest fish hatchery in Tennessee and was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. Each class visited the lab where students worked in teams of six to explore the air bladder, the liver, the spleen, the eyes, the fins, the dual-chambered heart, the digestive system, and more. After the lesson, we compared fish anatomy to human anatomy using a model provided by Balzer.
 
The day of the release began early with the counting of the survivors and loading of the tiny fingerlings into a cooler complete with an air bubbler for the fragile fish. Teaching Assist Caleb Franklin was on hand for the second year in a row to assist with the pre-dawn duties and set up at the river. His contribution to the whole operation cannot be overstated. It’s always a triumphant feeling to see the four USN buses pulling into the parking lot of the Buffalo Valley Recreation Area. We are grateful to Bus Drivers Eric Smith, Amy Rivera, Angie Moore, and Begashaw Asfaw for safely transporting our young naturalists to the river. Without their help, the release wouldn’t happen.
 
Beside the river, our group gathered for a brief introduction, and then students stepped forward to receive their trout to release into the stunning Caney Fork River. This year, we had 72 trout to release, thankfully just enough for each third grader to release one trout. As they gently introduced the fish into their new habitat, students observed the beauty and agility of these incredible creatures, and many students enjoyed naming their fish before they swim away forever too. Names chosen this year included: Bob, Ruby, Chester, Buddy, and Sparkles, among others. Next, students took part in reflection time. Seated by the river, third graders wrote about their experience raising and releasing the trout. Some wrote poems, others drew detailed pictures of the release site, and others created journal-type entries to commemorate the momentous occasion.
 
We ended our time at the river by expressing our gratitude for everyone who helped to make our trout unit possible: Third Grade Teachers Sarah Wiley, Barbara Voehler, Sherrie Reltherford, and Ellen Hicks; Fifth Grade Science Teacher Tobey Balzer; Teaching Assistants Melissa Lawmaster and Caleb Franklin; Operations Coordinator Marte Beaty; Receptionist & Office Assistant Kyle Turner; Utility Technician Jason Meadows, Transportation Manager Mike Turnage; Operations Director Erik Mash; Head of Lower School Amy Woodson; USNA Office Manager Debra Alberts; Admissions & Financial Aid Director Juliet Douglas; the aforementioned bus drivers, and, of course, our curious third-grade naturalists.
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