Fishing to learn more about fish!

 

Mrs. Randleman and Ms. Billey’s Kindergarten class from Lydia Rippey Elementary spent a day on the pond putting into action the knowledge they had gained about fish.  

 

A grant from ConocoPhillips has promoted the children to research various student driven topics this year.  This research turned into a big unit on fish, including a trip to the fish hatchery in Durango, Co.  After hearing the kid’s excitement, and their desire to see some of these fish in the wild, Mrs. Randleman decided the students needed to go fishing!

 

With the help of New Mexico Game and Fish, New Mexico Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife and Aztec Sporting goods, this was made possible.

 

New Mexico Game and Fish helped move the stocking date so the students would have a successful fishing trip.

 

An organization promoting New Mexico’s fishing and hunting heritage, “Sportsman for Fish and Wildlife” teamed up with Aztec Sporting Goods to present each of the students with their own fishing pole/ tackle kit. 

 

There were 18 kindergarten students, and 2 preschool students who fished.

We had 9 parents, 5 adult volunteers, and a middle school student who volunteered and assisted the students with fishing.

The volunteers were:  Will Lee, Eli Turner, Bill & Jessica Randleman and David Randleman, and the Middle School student is Trace Hall.
 
All but 2 students caught fish and for 4 of the students, it was their first time fishing.  
 
One little boy, caught a fish, and while Will Lee was helping him reel it in, the fish began flopping around and scared him to death.  He took off running, with the fish trailing behind him.  It was the cutest sight. Once we got him calmed down, and he realized the fish were supposed to come out of the water, he was hooked, and wanted to catch more. 
 
We have had numerous parents tell us that their child has asked to go fishing almost daily since the trip, so they are spending a lot of time at the ponds in the area. 

 

The students really enjoyed the day, even though the weather was a bit dreary, for some students it was their first time ever catching a fish. Mrs. Randleman hopes to make this fishing day an annual event, hopefully instilling a love of the outdoors along with a love of learning.