A TALE OF DUCKS AND FISHES

BY

The 6^th Grade Class at Applegate Elementary School

Who would think a “like” for something slimy, wet and weird would become “love”? The sixth grade class of Applegate Elementary School was raising salmon from eggs and in the process we studied the stages of young Chinook salmon.

When we first got the 180 salmon eggs, everyone named the fish stuff like Nemo, Oscar, Bubbles, Squirt and Bob Sagget. When the fish arrived the delivery man had a cooler containing the eggs, which we put into our prepared fish tank. It was exciting because we would have something to take care of and have our own responsibility. Every day we had to check the water’s temperature and put specific chemicals into the water so the fish would be fine. We did the best we could to keep the environment safe, but a few didn’t make it from natural causes. Others died accidental when it was Nate’s turn to suck out the foam from the hatching eggs, Nate accidentally sucked up an egg ALIVE!!!!! It was a sad day for the fish, but everyone laughed still, accept our teacher Mrs. Chinburg.

In about five to six weeks we had fry. This came fast because when we first got the eggs they were already “eyed eggs” which means the fish’s eye had developed. Then in two to three weeks the fry started to develop their yolk sac. The yolk sac is where the fish gets all of its food. So we didn’t need to feed them. It was a very rewarding experience to watch how these salmon mature.

Finally, from two months of taking care of these eggs, we were going on a field trip to free the fish. By now their yolk sac was gone and we needed to release them so they could find their own food. It was so fun liberating the fish in the slough near Autzen Stadium. We had to put water in the bucket from the river so they can get used to it. We hoped nothing would eat them.

After we released the fish we walked across the street to Autzen Stadium and saw a highlight film about last season. We got to see at least four players, even the quarterback! We also got to see the trophies, uniforms and we played football on the practice field and then on the real stadium. Darren Thomas walked in to the practice field and we said, “Hi!” And Amanda got a high-five from him. We saw other Duck players working out, throwing footballs and practicing with their trainers. It was awesome day of ducks and fishes.

The end.

Superintendent’s note: contributing writers – Whitney Anderson, Jade Basel, Amanda Faletti, Shannara French, Max Hopkins, Brandon Kemp, Rose Lay, Nate Lecoe, Siera Lloyd, Brandon Overton, Meagan Reardon, and Jordon Van Natta