Square of Life

 Rebecca Creek Elementary School, Spring Branch, Texas

Final Report – Second Grade Differentiation Class

Spring Branch, Texas is approximately 30 miles north of San Antonio, in the Texas Hill Country.  The Hill Country has rocky, caliche clay soil and hillsides dotted with massive Escarpment Oaks, and Mountain Cedar (juniper).   

We compared our findings with those of Monmouth University in West Long Beach, New Jersey.  We live in an open, rural area with a warm climate similar to the desert, but not as hot or dry.  Our climate is humid.  We like comparing ourselves to the climate of New Jersey, a Northern state in a busy urban area.  We have mild winters and hot summers.  New Jersey has mild summers and cold winters. 

OUR FINDINGS:   Both areas have trees, but none were in the square at Monmouth University.  None of our squares had bushes.  We found wild grasses, spiders, and ants.  The other school found a Pill Bug and a gnat.

OUR CONCLUSIONS:  Urban areas are very “built up” and therefore, there are few grasses and native creatures there.  Both areas have active soil that has earthworms to keep it healthy.  All animals have to adapt to their climate, even the birds.  We think that birds feel comfortable in the open country.  We think they must have a real adjustment to make when making their homes in the city.  The broken egg with the chick inside found in New Jersey, probably has a tale to tell.  The soil in New Jersey and in Texas is sandy.  We believe that is because thousands of years ago, both Texas and New Jersey were under water.

Click here to see a sheet that compares what we found in the places where we live.