Gunston Box Turtles Meet 3rd Grade Learners- Updated

By Elizabeth Hurst
Spotlight
October 13, 2023

The 3rd Grade Part-Time AAP group has been researching information needed to create a shelter for the two box turtles that live in the Gunston ES courtyard.  Based on the group’s informed recommendations, the school purchased some materials. During our group pullout time, today, students decorated the pots which will be used as shelters.  Once their work has dried, the pots will be laid on their sides and buried halfway. The students also recommended purchasing a shallow plant saucer that the turtles can use for drinking and cooling off. They also compiled a list of plants for consideration for future planting that turtles enjoy.

Mr Fahy half-buried the 2 completed "turtlehaus" this week, but worries the cool weather may have driven our turtle friends into a an early hibernation elsewhere. The students will be watching to see what happens next.

First there is a class discussion about situation of Box turtles in the courtyard

First there is a class discussion about situation of Box turtles in the courtyard

Then a quick investigation is needed of the situation

Then a quick investigation is needed of the situation

Ideas are mapped out

Ideas are mapped out

Box Turtle is getting excited about what's coming

Box Turtle is getting excited about what's coming

Teams talk and collaborate about project at hand

Teams talk and collaborate about project at hand

Supplies are purchased and students get to work

Supplies are purchased and students get to work

Lots of discussion about what to paint and how

Lots of discussion about what to paint and how

Everyone takes a turn at suggestions

Everyone takes a turn at suggestions

Painting is underway

Painting is underway

Teams check out the painting efforts

Teams check out the painting efforts

Words and images cover half the pots

Words and images cover half the pots

Pots will be buried half in the dirt on their sides to create a shelter

Pots will be buried half in the dirt on their sides to create a shelter

More ideas are considered like water and food needs.

More ideas are considered like water and food needs.

The turtle houses (or turtlehaus) are buried halfway on their sides.

The turtle houses (or turtlehaus) are buried halfway on their sides.

The dirt is very rooty so it is difficult to dig too deep.

The dirt is very rooty so it is difficult to dig too deep.

Excellent troubleshooting and problem solving by this team led to turtle shelters and water sources for our garden occupants.

Excellent troubleshooting and problem solving by this team led to turtle shelters and water sources for our garden occupants.

Looks like a turtle found the shelter

Looks like a turtle found the shelter