Last week we took our little preschool co-op group on our first field trip, to the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery. When we arrived a few minutes before our scheduled tour time, the place was packed with third graders (who study the salmon life cycle as part of their science curriculum). In the following moments, however, all the school kids magically disappeared and the tour coordinator informed us that our little group of 15 had THREE tour guides.
Perhaps it was a good thing they split us up, because it was tricky keeping track of three year olds when the adults were so unexpectedly enthralled with learning about salmon. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable and patient.
A couple neat things I learned... salmon only spawn once. When they begin their trek back to their home creek (which they identify by smell), and return to fresh water from the ocean, they stop eating. It takes 2-3 months to get back "home" and by that time they have very little oil or meat left - only enough to mate, then they die.
Though the little ones might not have been too interested in the science and the details, they did enjoy seeing the hundreds of huge fish swimming in the creek and up the fish ladder. If you're ever in this area during September to early November, it's definitely worth checking out the fish hatchery!
Before we left, we tried to snap a photo of our co-op five. This is what we ended up with, and it is a pretty good representation (one kiddo got upset and refused to participate, one is giving his mischievous grin, most are distracted, and Thane's pants are unbuttoned).
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