NatureHoods

 

The NatureHoods Education program is a free outdoor program for Kindergarten-2nd grade students in Central Oregon.  The goal of the program is to build observation and questioning skills in students, and foster a connection and appreciation for the natural world.  The program is offered in schoolyards or nearby parks, and includes four 1-hour lessons.  All activities align with Next Generation Science Standards.  Below are the grade level themes.

 

To learn more and schedule a program, contact [email protected].

 

2023-2024 Information

We prioritize Title I and rural schools for our NatureHoods Program.  Our 2023-2024 schedule is currently full, but we are accepting a waitlist and will let schools know if space becomes available.

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Kindergarten:  “Bear” Necessities: How Plants and Animals Use Their Surroundings to Survive

 

NGSS Standards K-LS1-1 and K-ESS3-1

 

Students makes observations and participate in hands-on activities to learn about what plants and animals need to survive. They will then apply this knowledge to draw conclusions about why plants and animals live where they do.

1st Grade:  Roots and Tails: How Plants and Animals Use Their Structure to Survive and Grow

 

NGSS Standard 1-LS1-1

 

Students will make observations to learn how plants and animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs. Activities will allow students to design a solution to a human problem by mimicking plants and animals.

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2nd Grade:  Plants and Pollinators:  Spreading the Seeds of the Diversity of Life

 

NGSS Standards 2-LS4-1 and 2-LS2-2

 

Students will learn about the relationship between plants and pollinators and engage in hands-on activities that mimic the function of animals in dispersing seeds and/or pollinating plants.  Students will use this information to discover the necessity of for the diversity of life in different habitats.

Virtual NatureHoods Program

 

The Children’s Forest has developed a virtual alternative to our NatureHoods program.  The virtual program includes live synchronous lessons as well as asynchronous activities and videos.  Learn more about the program here.