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Teach a kid to fish...
Galveston Fishing Pier is partnering with state and local entities like Texas Parks and Wildlife and Sea Turtle Island Restoration to present a hands-on program that meets Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements and teaches lifelong skills and conservation principles.
Our Goal
Fishing is a way to teach kids that they can provide food for themselves, while providing a safe, engaging sport to compete in and socialize. Here at the pier, we believe catching your own food is about as local as it gets. We want to introduce kids to where their food comes from to emphasize the importance of preserving and protecting the gulf, sea life, and the environment around them. Galveston Fishing Pier and Jimmy’s on the Pier aim to bring students, families and community together to spend time outdoors engaging in the lifetime sport of fishing, and be aware of the importance of ocean conservation. Using natural foods produced locally, Jimmy's understands the importance of sustainability. Our Galveston Fishing Pier is the longest privately owned fishing pier from Texas to Maine, providing the perfect teaching environment for kids and families to safely learn to fish.
Class Trip Proposal
Our first series of educational outings for the schools will be to teach grade levels 2–4 to fish based on the Texas Parks and Wildlife guidelines. The program will be customized by grade level, ensuring our course is fun and educational for all ages.
2nd Grade Lesson 1
2 Hours
Classroom Only -
Intro to the Gulf
“Marine Decomposition”
GFP in partnership with Galveston Turtle Restoration Project will present “Marine Decomposition” where students will learn the process in which marine debris breakdown. This presentation will teach students about recycling and proper disposal of wastes.
“Fish Species”
In this portion students will be presented with crafts and activities geared towards fish species identification.
“Fish Habitats”
Instructors will review and demonstrate local waterways, where different fish species live, and what we can do to protect local fisheries.
“Intro to Casting” (Gym/Field)
Students will practice casting using push button rods and plastic leads.
“Beautify the Bucket”*
Each 2nd Grade Class will decorate a new waste bin for the Galveston Art Boats Beautify the Bucket program.
3rd Grade Lesson 2
8am - 2pm
Classroom / Pier
Ethical Angler Intro
The first portion of this program will review items discussed in previous class. We strongly recommend students complete “Intro to the Gulf” before being presented this portion.
Review: Marine Decomposition, Fish Habitats
“Angler Tackle and Gear”
Students will be presented with and permitted to handle some of the most commonly used tackle and gear.
“Fish Species and Regulations”
Students will learn the size and bag limits set by the state. How to read the Texas Outdoor Annual, and how to recognize species using markings and other physical features.
“Catch and Release”
Students will learn and demonstrate safe and humane practices catching and releasing fish.
“Pier Safety”
Students will review Pier Safety Rules.
“Lunch at Jimmy’s”
“Pier Fishing”
Students will spend the remainder of the day fishing with GFPs own Pier Guide.
4th Grade Lesson 3
8am - 2pm
Pier
Pier Fishing
Review
Pier Safety
Angler Ethics
Casting
Fourth Grade students who have completed the program will now get an opportunity to fish the pier (with our Guides) for the entire morning. Student will arrive at 8am and fish until 10:30 am.
“Lunch at Jimmy’s”
Special lunch and a private dining experience at Galveston's best “On the Water” restaurant.
“FISHING PROS”
Fourth graders will continue fishing after lunch.
Intro to Fillet
Pier Instructors will DEMONSTRATE how to properly clean and fillet a fish.
Turtle Island Restoration Project presents Plastic, Plastic Everywhere
This lesson is intended to raise awareness of marine debris and its effect on our environment. Students will identify different types of marine debris and where they are likely to have originated, eventually focusing in on one of the most common types of marine debris—plastic bags. Students will determine their own family’s use of plastic shopping bags, and compare it with that of their classmates. They will calculate an estimate for total class, and possibly, total school usage. Students will then explore ways to reduce their use of plastic shopping bags. Armed with this information and insights gained from earlier activities, students will hopefully change their behaviors to reduce their impact the environment.
The local NOAA National Marine Sanctuary group, one of Galveston’s incredible resources to help students learn and appreciate our precious and limited resources. That being said they have many programs that are available to introduce to your students and the programs were designed to meet TEKs requirements. Other possible programs are below along with many others, please let us know how we can help using the contacts listed in this program introduction:
Learning Objectives
After the program students will be able to:
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Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between form and function among fish in reference style, and food choice (diet).
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Demonstrate an understanding of how different fish feeding styles fit into the larger concepts of food webs and ecosystems.
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Demonstrate an understanding of state rules and regulations, as well as why it is crucial to monitor those regulations on a day to day basis.
For more information or to request a program for your school
please contact:
Brandi Messinger
Galveston Fishing Pier
