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School Field Trips (Elementary)
 Fees
and Logistics
Suggested Themes for K-2
Suggested Themes for 3-5
At-School Programs
Bus Funding
Book a Fieldtrip
Educational Mission
Our mission is to provide innovative hands-on programs for
children and teachers that "...teach the student to see the
land, to understand what he sees, and enjoy what he understands"
in the spirit of Aldo Leopold.
Monona Highlights
Twenty-one acres of outdoor classroom, including wetlands,
prairie and woods, provide the backdrop for nature observation
and discovery. With access to the Monona Woodland Park and Edna
Taylor Conservation Park, students can explore over 90 acres of
land. The “Children’s Shack” can also be incorporated into your
program to deepen understanding of Aldo Leopold’s “Land Ethic”.
- Explore prairie, woodland and pond habitats
- Focus on "learning by doing" with experienced
naturalists!
- Enjoy individual attention with low student to
naturalist ratios!
- Explore Native American effigy mounds!
- Discover Aldo Leopold and his legacy at "The Children's
Shack"!
- Afterschool programs are available!
Our programs meet your needs:
- Tailored to meet your class curriculum.
- Designed to address Wisconsin State Standards in many
subject areas.
- Correlated with the FOSS Science Curriculum.
- Content- and experience-rich for all ages.
- Offering a more challenging opportunity for 4th and 5th
graders at our Black Earth campus.
Make it special!
- Overnight options are available at both sites.
- Service Learning Components can often be added upon
request.
- After School Programs are available.
- Spanish-speaking naturalists are generally available
upon request. Two weeks' advance notice is required.
Bus Funding!
Check out Nature Net’s Nature Express Program, to see if you might be eligible
for Bus Funding.
Programming in Monona
Monona Site Programs Fees and
Logistics:
- 1 1/2 hours (programs may be longer with appropriate fee
adjustments).
- Program Fee: $35 per Naturalist
- Naturalist to Student ratio is 1:10 pre-K through 2nd
grade; 1:12 for 3rd through 5th grade.
- Program Times: 8:45-10:15 am 10:45 am-12:15 pm
12:45-2:15 pm
- All programs are held rain or shine!
- Students and chaperones should be dressed for the
outdoors as appropriate for the season.
- Buildings may be used for a portion of the program and
in inclement weather.
- Special requests will be accommodated to the greatest
extent possible.
- All teachers, aides and one chaperone per Naturalist are
free.
- Additional chaperones are $2.50 each per 1 1/2 hour
program
slot.
- Payment should be sent prior to the program or provided
on the day of the program.
- Changes to attendance numbers or cancellations require
two weeks' notice. Any changes after this will result in a
full charge.
How to Register
Simply call (608) 221-0404x1, email
, or
Register on-line or and provide us with
the following information: (Online Registrations are not
confirmed until you are contacted by the Program Coordinator.)
- Dates and Program Time you prefer (see above for
suggested times)
- School or Group Name
- Contact Name, Phone Number, and Email Address
- Total Number of Students
- Grade Level of Students
- Choice of Topic
PLEASE...
-
Let us know what current vocabulary and pre-visit preparation
information you will be covering in class so that we can better
tailor the tour to meet your students' needs.
-
Provide us with information about student(s) with special needs.
-
Let us know if all the students have the same background
information (if more than one class is attending).
Suggested Themes for Grades K-2
Air and Weather -
FOSS 1-2
Hands-on activities help students
learn the concepts of wind speed, the water cycle, cloud types,
and temperature. Use of different weather “tools” ranging from
anemometers to simple flags will be taught and reinforced with a
walk through the prairie, woods, or marsh. Students will have
the opportunity to compare their weather observations between
the habitats.
Animal Tracks and Signs
 Students
will learn how to investigate the lives of animals through the
tracks and other signs they leave behind. Games, a nature hike
and a hunt for animal tracks are also included. Great
winter program!
Animals 2X2 -
FOSS K
Students will turn over logs and rocks in the woodland to
discuss basic animal needs, structures and behaviors. We’ll dip
in the pond to sort and classify the aquatic critters we catch.
Using study mounts, we’ll discuss the adaptations of various
Wisconsin mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians.
Leopold’s philosophy for respecting the land and its inhabitants
will be reinforced throughout the lesson.
Camouflage in Nature
A green insect on a green leaf or a gray squirrel on a dark tree
trunk. Why do some animals blend in and some don't? We'll look
for the answer to this intriguing question through first-hand
observations and games. Pond dipping is included when possible.
Everybody Eats - Why We Need Each
Other!
From producers to consumers find out how plants and animals all
rely on each other to obtain their food. A hike in our local
ecosystems gives the students first-hand observations and games
reinforce how the plants and animals are all connected. Pond
dipping is included when possible.
Habitats
Discover how each organism meets its basic needs for food,
water, shelter, and space in order to survive. Through a hike,
activities, songs, and a puppet show we’ll investigate the
various habitats of the Nature Center and the life it supports.
Pond dipping included when possible.
 Incredible
Insects - FOSS 1-2
Journey to the pond in search of aquatic insects and take a hike
through the prairie to inspect galls and ant hills. A puppet
show will illustrate the two types of insect metamorphosis and
students will see insect collections up close. A pond dip will
give students hands-on experience catching insect larvae, pupae
and nymphs.
MAD - Migrate, Adapt, or Die
Who will survive Wisconsin's winter? Using study mounts,
naturalists will introduce the concept of MAD - Migrate, Adapt
or Die along with several other adaptations animals use to
survive the winter. An investigative hike will help students
discover these changes on their own and a puppet show will
enhance the concepts.
Pebbles, Sand, and Silt -
FOSS 1-2
Students will observe, describe, and sort earth materials based
on size, texture, and other properties. We’ll explore places
where earth materials are found and discuss how they are used.
After reading Everybody Needs a Rock, students will “adopt”
their own rock. Finally we’ll hike to the woods to talk about
soil creation and meet some critters that call soil “home!”
Pioneer Living (2nd Grade and up)
 What
was life in Wisconsin like for early settlers 150 years ago?
Students will "play pioneer" as they experience first hand a
variety of activities including games and household chores, like
fetching water, washing laundry and grinding food. Students will
step back in time as they enter our one-room “Shack” to hear
stories and see pioneer tools. Adapts well to a longer program.
Plant Life (New Plants) -
FOSS 1-2
Students will observe the diversity of the plant kingdom on a
hike through the prairie, woodland, savanna, and wetland
habitats. We’ll study the structure and function of flowering
plant parts and learn what all plants need to survive. Students
will record their observations through words and pictures in a
journal.
Plant Power
Roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. How do plants
make their own food and pass that energy on to other animals?
Students will explore the woods, wetland and prairie searching
for the plants that feed local animals. Track down the great
power source behind every food chain and enjoy a puppet show
that tells the journey of one little seed.
Pond and Marsh
Our most popular program introduces students to the
interconnected community of the pond and marsh. This
interactive, hands-on program allows students to discover
fascinating pond critters while heightening their observation
skills.
Seasonal Discovery
There’s always something new happening at the Nature Center!
Students will learn to observe how plants and animals respond to
seasonal changes.
Fall – Sunny prairie flowers,
sticky seeds, migrating birds, scurrying squirrels and falling
leaves
Winter – Animal tracks, snow
crystals, tree skeletons, hardy birds, burrowing mammals
Spring – Woodland wildflowers,
bursting tree buds, chorusing frogs, returning birds, emerging
insects
Trees -
FOSS K
Students will learn all about different trees, leaves,
and seeds on a hike through our woodland and savanna
habitats. We’ll match leaves with common geometric
shapes and compare leaf types (simple, compound,
toothed, lobed). We’ll take leaf rubbings to make
a leaf book and conclude with a story about trees.
Using All the Senses
The call of a frog, the scent of a trail, the shape of a leaf,
and the texture of bark are all ways to identify plants and
animals. Why do some animals blend in and some don’t? Learn the
answer to this question and some techniques to improve sensory
observation skills when identifying life. We’ll investigate the
trails for all of nature’s colors and shapes! Worm game included
during program.
Wintering in the Woods
Where do woodland animals go when the snow flies? Students will
meet true hibernators like the groundhog and deep sleepers such
as the chipmunk through this program. They'll also take an
up-close look at the Nature Center's study mounts and explore
the grounds on a nature hike!
Most programs are suitable year round.
Suggested Themes for Grades 3-5
 All
About Birds
“You always can tell what a bird does eat when you look at its
beak and you look at its feet.” Students will learn “how birds
make a living” with our hands-on activity. We’ll examine study
mounts before exploring the land with binoculars in search of
our resident species.
Communities
Aldo Leopold wrote: “When we see land as a community to which we
belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” During
this program, we define, compare and contrast types of
communities found at the Nature Center. The pond, marsh, prairie
and woodland are options for seasonal habitat exploration. Pond
dipping included when possible.
Early Native American Life
Take a trip back in time to see how Native Americans lived long
ago. A hands-on timeline will demonstrate what foods and tools
they depended on and how they changed over time. Take a hike up
the drumlin to view Native American mounds as we question what
they are, how they were made and why they are here.
Earth Day Every Day
Can you spot the Eco-Kid? Naturalists will present a fun and
educational skit that teaches students the basics of “reduce,
reuse, and recycle.” Students will also participate in hands-on
activities that teach conservation skills, like the “recycle
relay,” and go on a hike. A tour of our environmentally friendly
building is optional.
Glaciers: Natures Bulldozers and Dump
Trucks
Learn about the glaciers that formed the five land regions of
Wisconsin and other formations made along the way. Hike a
glacial drumlin to see the work of glaciers first-hand, observe
a model glacier at work and discuss terminology. Come away with an understanding of how powerful
glaciers really are and how they influenced human settlement in
Wisconsin.
Insect Metamorphosis
All insects start life as an egg, but grasshoppers and
butterflies grow to maturity in different ways. We will review
the two types of metamorphosis with the aid of a puppet show and
hike outside to see where insects make their homes at the Nature
Center. Pond dipping included when possible.
Leopold's Life and Legacy
 As
they learn about Leopold's land ethic and how his work
influences conservation efforts even today, students hike the
woods, prairie, and pond areas surrounding the Nature Center and
spend time in the Children's Shack. Partake in some of Aldo
Leopold's favorite past-times such as bird watching, tree
identification, or land restoration. This program combines
well with Nature Journaling.
MAD - Migrate, Adapt or Die
We will discuss how animals survive Wisconsin’s changing seasons
through the introduction of MAD—Migrate, Adapt, or Die. Students
explore these concepts through a habitat hike, a puppet show,
study mounts, and a variety of other activities.
Maple Syruping in Wisconsin - Past and
Present
(Aligned with 4th grade curricula objectives.) This program is
offered for two weeks in March—call 221-0404x1 for this year’s
dates or check our website. Students learn basic tree
identification, try tools used by pioneers to “tap a tree,”
taste the sap from maples and watch it cook down to syrup. Learn
the science of sap flow in the tree and the boiling process. We
will teach the history of maple syrup making from the Native
Americans to the present—and taste the final product! Adapts
well to a longer program.
Math in Nature
If you were a frog, how far could you leap? How can we estimate
the height of a tree? Ever guess how old a tree is? Naturalists
lead students in a number of math-in-nature activities with the
help of measuring tools, formulas, games, and observation
skills.
Nature Journaling
Aldo Leopold’s fame can be largely
attributed to his skill as a nature writer. In Leopold fashion,
students will begin by heightening their observational skills at
the Nature Center. Students will be given the opportunity to
sketch from nature and practice descriptive writing or poetry in
personal journals. Students may bring their own journals or use
the Nature Center’s simple journal page. This program
combines well with Leopold’s Life and Legacy.
Sample Nature Writing
Journal (Microsoft Word Document).
Orienteering (4th grade and up)
Students will learn how to use a compass and practice basic
orienteering skills. Students apply these skills through
demonstrative games, pre-set courses on site, and by creating
their own orienteering courses in small groups.
Pioneer Living
 What
was life in Wisconsin like for early settlers 150 years ago?
Students will "play pioneer" as they experience first hand a
variety of activities including games and household chores, like
fetching water, washing laundry and grinding food. Students will
step back in time as they enter our one-room “Shack” to hear
stories and see pioneer tools. Adapts well to a longer program.
Recycling Energy in Nature
Worms recycle, groundhogs conserve energy, and plants convert
sunlight into sugar. Students will be introduced to principles
of energy at work all around them as we turn over logs,
dig into the soil, and dip into the pond. A tour of our
environmentally friendly building is optional.
Seasonal Discovery
There’s always something new happening at the Nature Center!
Students will learn to observe how plants and animals respond to
seasonal changes.
Fall – Sunny prairie flowers,
sticky seeds, migrating birds, scurrying squirrels and falling
leaves
Winter – Animal tracks, snow
crystals, tree skeletons, hardy birds, burrowing mammals
Spring – Woodland wildflowers,
bursting tree buds, chorusing frogs, returning birds, emerging
insects
Skins and Skulls
Students will examine study mounts, skins and skulls of some
common Wisconsin mammals while discussing their adaptations and
natural history in Wisconsin. Once outside, we will hike to
search for signs of mammal activity in the woods, prairie and
near the pond.
Structures of Life -
FOSS 3-4
Students observe and compare organisms through examination of
study mounts and a pond dip to learn the adaptations of animals
in different habitats. We’ll learn the “Classification Song” and
categorize animals through careful observation of physical
characteristics. On a hike through the woodland and prairie,
we’ll discuss seed structure function, and dispersal.
Water -
FOSS 3-4
Students will sing the “Water Cycle Boogie” and play the
“Incredible Journey” game to learn how water travels through the
water cycle. Through a series of experiments, students will
learn about water density, evaporation, condensation, and
infiltration through various soil types. In a visit to the pond,
we’ll talk about how water quality determines what life can
survive in aquatic habitats.
Winter Ecology
How do animals survive the winter? Come and discover which
animals hibernate and which ones stay to endure the rigors of
the season. We will hike the grounds to learn about the
ecological importance of snow cover and even ice on ponds! We’ll
also look for signs of the animals that stay around the Nature
Center all winter.
Winter Survival
Any of us could find ourselves in a situation where we need to
use winter survival skills. Not only must we respect natural
forces but also learn what nature provides to help us survive.
Students learn how to dress appropriately, pack a survival kit
and work cooperatively to develop a strategy when faced with a
crisis situation. Students will learn to recognize the signs of
hypothermia and how to treat a victim. Outdoors, the students
work in teams to build a fire and a debris shelter.
Wonderful Wetlands
All “wetlands” are not the same. What is considered a wetland
and how do we know? Students will visit our marsh and pond
habitats, comparing and contrasting their characteristics. This
program includes pond dipping, wetland study mounts, and a hike
to the marsh to observe wildlife while discussing the benefits
of wetlands through our “marsh metaphor bag.”
Other Suggested Themes:
Please remember - your program topic can be tailored to fit your
group’s specific needs. Ask us about a topic of your choice!
(For general descriptions, see other grade levels or give us a
call!)
• Forests • Watersheds • Mammals • Phenology • Classification •
Adaptations • Biodiversity
• Predator or Prey?
Most programs are suitable year round.
Can't make it to the Nature Center?
Bus
Funding...
Check out Nature Net's Nature Express Program,
www.naturenet.com/express.html, to see if you might be eligible
for bus funding.
At-School Programs...
We can bring nature programs to you! Programs range from indoor,
large group presentations to outdoor, small group field
experiences that utilize your school forest or playground for
outdoor exploration and activities.
- At-school programs are generally offered November 15 - March
1 (some available year-round on a limited basis)
- Minimum of two presentations of the same topic back to back.
- Program Fee:
Indoor: $50 per 35-45 minute presentation (30 youth maximum per
group)
Outdoor: $35 per 1 ½ hour program (12 youth maximum per group)
At-School Program Topics:
All About Birds
Students will learn “how birds make a living” with a hands-on
station activity and examine bird study mounts up close. A hike
with binoculars is included in the outdoor program.
Animal Tracks
Students will learn how to “read” tracks and trails and make a
track field guide to keep. A hike for animal signs is included
in the outdoor program.
Creepy Critters
Students will learn amazing facts about the adaptations of some
of Wisconsin’s “creepiest”critters. Sing songs and learn
hands-on all about spiders, snakes, bats, and worms. Get over
the creeps while discovering the many ways these creatures are
important to our ecosystems. Live specimens may accompany this
program, as available.
Marsha Muskrat
Receive a special visit from our walking and talking “Marsha
Muskrat,” who will explain how her special adaptations allow her
to survive and thrive in her wetland home.
Native Americans
Take a trip back in time to see how Native Americans lived long
ago. A hands-on timeline will demonstrate what foods and tools
they depended on and how they changed over time.
Orienteering
Students will learn how to use a compass and basic orienteering
skills. Demonstrative games and student created orienteering
courses are included in the outdoor program.
Skins and Skulls
Students will examine study mounts, skins and skulls of some
common Wisconsin mammals while learning about the special
adaptations of predators and prey.
The Lorax
Children will “become” Swomee Swans, Brown Bar-ba-loots and
Humming Fish as they enjoy this interactive reading of Dr.
Seuss’s classic tale of over consumption and environmental
pollution.
The Mitten
Enjoy an interactive reading of animals in winter, followed by
seeing and touching study mounts and animal skins.
Wintering in the Woods
Students will learn where woodland animals go when the snow
flies as they see study mounts up close. A hike for animal signs
is included in the outdoor program.
In Monona
Grades K-2
Animal Tracking
Animal and Plant Habitat Needs
Camouflage in Nature
Changes Over Time (Phenology)
Food Webs - Why We Need Each Other
Incredible Insects (FOSS)
MAD - Migrate, Adapt, or Die
Nature's Colors, Shapes and Patterns
Pioneer Living (grade 2+)
Plant and Animal Adaptations
Pond and Marsh
Wintering in the Woods
Wonderful Wisconsin Words
Using All the Senses
Grades 3-5
Animal Tracking
Changes Over Time (Phenology)
Classification - Kingdom to Family
Communities
Energy in Nature
Glaciers: Nature Bulldozers and Dump Trucks
History of Wisconsin's Native American Cultures
Insect Metamorphosis
Introduction to Map Reading
Introductory Orienteering (grade 5 +)
Leopold's Life and Legacy
MAD - Migrate, Adapt, or Die
Maple Syruping in Wisconsin (grade 4)
Math in Nature
Nature's Recyclers
Nature Writing
Pioneer Living
The Water Cycle
Watershed Hike
Weaving the Food Web
Wildflower Keys
Winter Ecology
Wisconsin Birds
Wisconsin Mammals
Wisconsin's Forest
Wonderful Wetlands
Wonderful Wisconsin Words
Most programs are suitable year round.
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