2005-2006 Home School Programs
The purpose of these programs is to introduce home school students to basic principles of ecology and biology while nurturing an appreciation for and understanding of the natural world.
Students will become familiar with plants and animals native to Iowa and learn about interrelationships of these organisms and how human activities affect the environment.
The Indian Creek Nature Center is offering three series of nature programs designed for students in different grade levels. Each program consists of a 2 hour and 15 minute session which includes indoor instruction, background, and hands-on study of a topic, followed by field experience on Nature Center grounds or nearby locations. Depending on the topic of study, students may observe animals or plants, collect insects or aquatic creatures, take measurements of weather or water quality, or hear stories about the history of an area.
They will learn about natural cycles and the relationships between living things as they interact with nature and each other. Take-home activities and suggestions for further study on each topic and an outline of information covered in each session are available.
Home School Brochure: download PDF
Fee for entire series: $60 for ICNC members, $90 for nonmembers.
Fee for individual classes: $8 for ICNC members, $12 for nonmembers.
All programs will be held on Thursdays from 1 to 3:15 PM.
Family Home School Programs are also available.
Kindergarten - Second Grade: Discover Your Wild World
We will use our senses to observe and explore the natural world. Concepts covered will be very basic. At times we will collect creatures in order to study them briefly. Students will be encouraged to experience and appreciate the wonders of nature found around them. Programs will be held from 1 to 3:15 PM.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2005: Water Creatures-How they live in water. Properties of water. Wetland exploration and collection.
Outline: download PDF
OCTOBER 6, 2005: Fall Changes-Animal hibernation & plant dormancy. Bird migration, insect adaptations.
Outline: download PDF
NOVEMBER 3, 2005: Unusual Animals-Opossums, owls, & more. Strange facts. Homes, habits, & life cycles.
Outline: download PDF
DECEMBER 8, 2005: Winter Trees-Tree features & importance. Kinds of forests. Woodland animals.
Outline: download PDF
JANUARY 5, 2006: Wings & Things-What makes a bird? Backyard birds. Feathers. Special bird features.
Outline: download PDF
FEBRUARY 2, 2006: Furry Friends-Mammal features. Winter survival. Tracks & homes.
Outline: download PDF
APRIL 6, 2006: Spring Bloomers-Spring flowers & adaptations. Seasonal changes.
Outline: download PDF
MAY 11, 2006: Tadpole Tales-Frogs & toads. Reptiles. Life cycles. Sounds.
Outline: download PDF
Third - Fifth Grade: Explore Your Wild World
Exploration and experimentation will be our focus. Basic information on the topic will guide the students in hands-on activities using a variety of basic science equipment. A majority of program time will be spent outside in prairie, woodland, riparian, and wetland habitats. Programs will be held from 9:30 am to noon.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2005: Watery Worlds-Wetlands & creatures found there.
Outline: download PDF
OCTOBER 13, 2005: Tallgrass Prairie-Prairie formation. Pioneer history. Prairie ecosystem. Fire.
Outline: download PDF
NOVEMBER 10, 2005: Water Conservation-Water cycle. Watersheds & impacts. Pollution pathways & solutions.
Outline: download PDF
DECEMBER 15, 2005: Mosses & Mushrooms-Mosses & liverworts. Ferns & allies. Lichens. Non-flowering plant features. Fungi.
Outline: download PDF
JANUARY 12, 2006: Birds-Bird features & adaptations. Feathers. Nests. Migration.
Outline: download PDF
FEBRUARY 9, 2006: Marvelous Mammals-Features & adaptations. Types. Human use. Teeth & skulls. Winter survival. Tracks.
Outline: download PDF
APRIL 13, 2006: Flowering Plants-Flower parts & adaptations. Pollination. Importance & uses.
Outline: download PDF
MAY 18, 2006: Woodlands-Tree features. Forest communities. Importance & problems. Savanna.
Outline: download PDF
Sixth Grade and Up: Understand Your Wild World
This series will focus on environmental issues, technology used to help solve natural resource problems, and student involvement as responsible protectors of the environment. Visits with experts and off-site field trips will be included when relevant. Programs will be held from 1 to 3:15 PM.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2005: Aquatic Ecology-Water cycle & watershed impacts. Wetlands. Invertebrates. Water quality testing.
OCTOBER 20, 2005: Outdoor Skills-Survival basics. Map & compass use. Fire building. Outdoor ethics.
NOVEMBER 17, 2005: Energy Conservation-Reduce-Reuse-Recycle. Alternative energy. Conservation options & methods.
DECEMBER 15, 2005: GPS Orienteering-Map review. GPS technology. Geocache hunt.
JANUARY 19, 2006: Birdwatching-Bird features. Role in nature. Populations. Raptors. Migration. Calls. Conservation.
FEBRUARY 16, 2006: Waste Management-Speed of decomposition. Compost. Landfill purpose & process.
APRIL 20, 2006: Woodland Ecology-Trees & woodlands. Impacts. Forest restoration & management.
MAY 25, 2006: Fish Ecology-Fish features. Human uses. Life cycle. Fisheries industry.
Family Home School Programs
Discover and explore our natural world with your family. Participate in hands-on activities, games, and walks for students of all ages. Get ideas for projects to do as a family to continue your learning.
Family Home School Flyer: download PDF
OCTOBER 27, 2005: Our Iowa Prairies-Discover the rich pioneer history of our state's largest ecosystem. Learn about the plants and animals that survive best in the prairie. Take a prairie hike, play games, and find out how to establish and maintain a large or small prairie planting of your own. Try your hand at some prairie restoration techniques.
NOVEMBER 8, 2005: Woodland Wildlife-Explore the woods and learn about the animals living there. Interview a popular gobbler. Find out how woodland creatures' special features help them survive. Discover how trees help the environment. Use forestry tools that help us study trees, and play indoor and outside games.
JANUARY 26, 2006: Birds of Prey-Find out how raptors are special among birds. Discover the unique features that help them survive. Participate in activities to help you understand raptors. Learn which of these birds migrate and where. Play a raptor game. Hike to the river to try to spot our national bird.
FEBRUARY 23, 2006: Winter Fun-Discover how plants and animals survive cold weather. Do ice and snow experiments. Learn what tracks tell us and which creatures make trails this time of year. Play winter animal games. Walk through the woods and prairie to find signs of active animals and enjoy the season.
APRIL 27, 2006: Spring Woodlands-Discover the features of flowers. Learn which plants are seen first every year and how the woods are different in the spring. Find our what animals are doing this time of year and who has babies. Explore the spring woodlands on a bird and flower walk.
MAY 9, 2006: Water Wildlife-Discover wetlands and learn about their importance. Find out what creatures, large and small, live in or near water. Hike to our wetland, collect aquatic creatures, and study how they are specially suited for their lives. Play games that illustrate life in a wetland. Find out what you can do to help protect our water wildlife.
What to Bring/How to Dress Students
WE WILL GO OUTSIDE every session! Please remember to bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and insect repellent in warm weather. Always bring a rain jacket or rain suit. A hat is also a good idea. Wear tennis shoes or hiking boots, NOT open-toed shoes or sandals. For cold weather wear warm layers of clothing and boots, and bring a warm hat and mittens.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For questions about these programs, call the Nature Center at 319-362-0664 or contact Home School Coordinator, Christine Kirpes at janature@aol.com
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