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Programs at Patterson Park Audubon Center
School Programs, Pre-K to 3rd Grade
2008-2009

This list is Patterson Park Audubon Center’s school programs for the ’08-’09 School Year. The goal of the Patterson Park Audubon Center is to connect people with nature, focusing on the community around the center by providing numerous interactions with the center throughout a child’s lifetime. Through our programs, we add value to the community by providing high-quality education programs that inspire stewardship of our natural resources and provide staff that serves as role models to encourage civic involvement. We also support the science curriculum by providing outdoor, hands-on, interactive activities. Each program is listed with the season it is available and the Voluntary School Curriculum Objectives (VSCs) that are addressed by the lesson.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN

Owls of the Night October
Why are owls so active at night? How are they able to see in the dark? Which owls live in Maryland and how do they communicate with each other? Students will learn the answers to these questions and will build their own owl to take home.

Camouflage November
Where did that critter disappear to? I swear it was just here!! Come discover the many disappearing acts that the creatures in the park play on us. We will take a hike to find some of their hiding places and create a camo-mask to help us blend in too!!

Animal Tracks December
Somebody has been here, but whom?! Become a detective for the day and learn how to identify animals by looking at the tracks they sometimes leave behind. Students will learn about different critters that live in Maryland and make their own mammal tracks!!

For the Birds January
What are the parts of a bird? Did you know that you can classify birds by their beaks and feet? What do birds eat? Discover the fascinating world of birds by exploring the ones that call Patterson Park home.

What Egg Did You Come From? February
Who is going to hatch out of that egg? Could it be a caterpillar, frog, snake, or bird? Join us to discover the many life forms that hatch from eggs.

A Bug’s World March
What makes a bug a bug? How many legs does an insect have? Is a spider an insect? Where do these creepy crawlers live and how do they behave? Come join us for a bug hunt in Patterson Park to discover the answers to these questions and more.

Signs of Spring April
The birds have begun to sing their lovely songs and the trees have begun to blossom again. This can only mean one thing……spring has arrived!!!! Join us as we go in search of signs of spring in Patterson Park.

Fish, Splish, Splash! May
Come ponding with us to discover what is living in the waters of the Boat Lake. Learn about the characteristics of a fish and their wet world!! Make a craft and listen to a fishy tale.

KINDERGARTEN

Terrific Trees (FALL)
Program Length: 90 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Life Science- Diversity of Life 1A and B, Genetics 1A, Flow of Matter & Energy 1C and D

Patterson Park is a perfect home for trees! Students will discover how the park’s environment provides just what these plants need. Students will act like a tree to understand their life cycle and find out that the park provides everything that a tree needs in order to grow. Patterns will be found between the different varieties of trees, a scavenger hunt will help identify the parts of a tree and a leaf sorting activity will allow children to determine similarities and differences between the trees.

A Tree for a Home (SPRING)
Program Length: 90 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Life Science- Diversity of Life 1A, B, C and D, Flow of Matter and Energy 1A, B, C and D, Ecology 1C

Can animals that move on the ground or fly in the air use trees to help them live? Students find the answer to this question as they hike through the park looking for evidence of animals using trees. The class will find examples of how a variety of animals use trees for food and shelter. The students will learn about adaptations that squirrels have that make them perfect inhabitants of the trees. A student will be magically turned into a squirrel to help the class see how lucky squirrels are to be made just the way they are.

FIRST GRADE

Home for Sale (FALL)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Life Science- Diversity of Life 1A, B and C, Cells 2A, Flow of Energy and Matter 1A

Can animals survive in Patterson Park? If so, how? Students are introduced to the connection between animals and their habitats. Through different activities, students will find out animals’ four basic needs that are provided by their habitat. By looking at live animals, models, and photos of animals, students will match the appropriate habitat and food for each animal during a scavenger hunt through the park. Together, we’ll discover what animals can survive in the habitats of Patterson Park.

What’s the Matter in the Park? (SPRING)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Skills and Processes- Constructing knowledge 1A, B, D and E, Applying Evidence and Reasoning 1A, B and C, Earth/Space Science- Interactions of Hydrosphere and Atmosphere 1A

Alert! Alert! Matter of all forms found in the Park! Students are needed to help correctly classify many objects found in the Park. Students will uncover the properties of matter in solid and liquid form. Students will begin with a sorting activity to determine the properties of liquids and solids. Students will create and observe mixtures of solids and liquids.

SECOND GRADE

Let the Winter Games Begin! (FALL)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Life Science- Ecology 1A and B

Can you run as fast as a bird flies? What is your wingspan if you were a bird? How fast can you flap your “wings”? Can you eat like a bird? Students will participate in the Migration Olympics to find out what it takes to make it through the Great Migration Challenge, an activity that puts students up to the many challenges that face birds in their long journeys. Let the Games Begin!

Growing Up (SPRING)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Life Science- Genetics 1A, B and C

Everything living has a life cycle! Students will learn about life cycles by observing live tadpoles and frog. Students will piece together the life of a dragonfly and create a butterfly life cycle craft. Students will learn and be able to compare the different life cycles that plants, animals and humans go through by playing different life cycle games. Bugs, amphibians, birds, and humans- with such a wide variety of life to explore, this lesson is packed with fun!

THIRD GRADE

Incredible Insects (FALL)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Life Science- Cells 1A-D

Discover the minute world of insects. Students will search for bugs in their habitats as they learn about their behaviors and food sources. The short and interesting life cycle of many bugs will be explored through activities and students will find out why camouflage really is SO COOL in the bug world.

Let’s Get Moving! (SPRING)
Program Length: 150 min
VSC Science Standards addressed: Skills and Processes- Technology 2A and B

The human body is a well-oiled machine! Through group games that get the students twisting and turning at their joints, students will see how joints and muscles working together make a job easier. In a human, body parts are influenced by other body parts and help humans get tasks accomplished with ease. Animal movements will be observed to help to understand that movements become more difficult when parts are missing.

Other Information

Support Documents:
Available at the Audubon office is a document with all the covered VSCs (Voluntary State Curriculum) for each program, written out in their entirety. Pre- and Post- tests for all programs are also available upon request. *** A change from last year. We will not be giving these out at program times. ***

VSCs 2007-2008 (309kb Ms Word)

Chaperones:
We require one adult from the school for every 13 students. Chaperones help with discipline and assist the educator as needed (passing out supplies, taking a child to the bathroom, etc.). Teachers and chaperones are expected to be fully involved with the program.

Program Length/Location:
All programs meet in the Park at the north side of the Boat Lake at the picnic tables, unless otherwise noted.

Dress:
All programs will take place in the Park unless otherwise noted. Students, teachers and chaperones should dress for the weather. In inclement weather, lessons will be adapted to have more time under the shelter of one of the Park’s pavilions, but will still be conducted outside. Students should wear jackets, hats and gloves when appropriate. We strongly recommend closed shoes for walking comfort around the park.

Bathroom:
We strongly encourage classes to use their school facilities prior to the trip.

Cancellation Policy:
If for any reason a trip needs to be cancelled, we will reschedule to the best of our ability, but cannot guarantee a new date. In case of questionable weather, the Center will determine if the program should be cancelled. We honor your school’s snow cancellation policy.

We’re looking forward to another great year!

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