JK/SK

Program Name

Curriculum and Topic

Location

Length

Stayin Alive

JK/SK

Overall Expectations

A, C.

Science and Technology 2, 3, 4.

Take a look at what living things do each day to stay alive (needs of survival).  Students will learn about differences between living and non-living things and discover what all living things need to survive. This program involves a tour of the Nature Centre’s live animal displays.

Nature Centre

Parking Lot C

Indoor

1/2 hour

Discovery Tour

Pre-school

Discover the natural side of Bronte Creek Provincial Park through this centre tour.  Take a closer look at Ontario’s unique wildlife through hands on displays in our discovery room as well as our live displays which can include: snakes, turtles, toads and honeybees.

Nature Centre

Parking Lot C

indoor

1/2 hour

Maple Syrup

–        Backpack Adventure

JK/SK

Overall Expectations

A, B, C.

Science and Technology 1, 3, 8.

Classes can discover nature’s sweetest treat!  A pre-school program that showcases the major developments in the maple syrup production.  Together with your instructor you will walk along Maple Lane and using a MAP and a BACKPACK you will find three key components to Maple Syrup production.  Students will be involved in tree tapping and interactive games to discover the technological changes through the years.  

Breckon Shelter

Parking Lot F

Outdoor

NEW

45 min - 1 hour

Games and Toys of the Past

JK/SK

Overall Expectations

B, E, F.

Personal and Social Development 6, 8, 11, 12, 15,.

Before the time of video games and theme parks, kids found ways to have lots of fun!  During this 1/2 hour program, students learn about and participate in some of the past-times of Victorian children. 

Nature Centre

Indoor / outdoor

1/2 hour

Program Name

Curriculum and Topic

Location

Length

All Together Now

Grade 1

Canada and World connections – the local community

-         Recognize that communities consist of various physical features and community facilities that meet human needs.

*identify the physical and social needs of residents in an area

*list the occupations of some people in the community

* list the different ways in which people travel around the community

What was life like in a late 1890’s community?  In this program children will take a look at what shops, services and industries made up a historical community and compare it to a present day town.  This includes looking at various businesses, occupations and social activities.

Spruce Lane

Farmhouse

Indoor

1 hour

Animal Adaptations

Grade 1

Overall expectations

1, 2, 3.

Understanding Life Systems- Needs  and Characteristics of Living Things

-         1.2 ,2.2, 2.3, 3.2, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7.

Hike though the forest and discover the natural side of Bronte Creek Provincial Park.   Students will learn about a variety of local fauna (bats, coyotes, owls).  How have they adapted to live in the environment?  Why are they important to the environment?

Walking between Nature Centre and Spruce Lane Farm

1 hour

House Tour

Grade 1

 Heritage and Citizenship - Relationships, Rules and Responsibilities

- Describe the roles and responsibilities of various family members.

Explore the 1890’s farmhouse - discover how roles have changed

Spruce Lane

Farmhouse

Indoor

1/2 hour

Program Name

Curriculum and Topic

Location

Length

It’s Un-bee-lievable

Grade 2

Overall expectations

1, 2, 3.

Understanding Life Systems - Growth and Change in Animals

- 1.2, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3.

Get a closer look into the life and history of a honeybee.  How do humans use the honey bee/ products?  How as the honey bee been affected by humans?  Look at real honey bees in our live honeybee hive.

Nature Centre

Indoor/ outdoor

1 hour

Traditions and

Celebrations     

Grade 2

Heritage And Citizenship - Traditions and Celebrations

-         Explain how the various cultures of individuals and groups contribute to the local community.

• Outline traditions of various cultures that are passed down from earlier generations.
• Identify ways in which heritage and traditions are passed on.
• Ask simple questions to gain information and seek clarification.

Learn how many holiday and family traditions were passed down through generations.  Students will discover some of the “quirky” traditions Victorians had.   The ‘holiday’ focus will change with the seasons. –looking at birthdays, how children are named etc.

Spruce Lane

Farmhouse

Indoor

1 hour

House Tour

Grade 2

Adaptable to each group/ topic.

Spruce Lane

Farmhouse

Indoor

1/2 hour

Program Name

Curriculum and Topic

Location

Length

Soils in the Environment

Grade 3

Overall expectation

1, 2, 3.

Understanding Earth and Space Systems – soils in the environment

- 1.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4.

Get a closer look into the life under the ground.  Identify living things found in the soil, and see how nature is the original recycler.  Human impact on soil discussed.

Nature Centre

Outdoor

1 hour

Farm Child

Grade 3

Heritage and Citizenship – early settlement in Upper Canada

- Explain how the early farmers used natural resources.

- Compare aspects of life in early settler communities and present day communities.

• Identify factors that helped shape the development of early settlements.
• Describe the various roles of male and female settlers.

Students get a chance to experience a taste of early farming life through hands on activities that may include butter making, carding wool, artifact detective and toys and games.

Spruce Lane

Farmhouse

Indoor

1 hour

House Tour

Grade 3

Heritage and Citizenship / Canada world connections

-         Compare aspects of life in early settler communities with that of present day.

-         Identify and compare features of urban and rural communities

Tour the 1890’s farmhouse and see how much things have changed!

Spruce Lane

Farmhouse

Indoor

1/2 hour

Maple Syrup

Grade 3

Heritage and Citizenship – early settlement in Upper Canada

-         Interactions between new settlers and existing communities, including first nations and the impact of natural resources and climate on the development of early settler communities.

• Describe what early settlers learned from First Nation peoples that helped them adapt to their new environment.
• Compare and contrast tools and technologies used by early settlers and/or First

Nation peoples with present-day tools and technologies.

Students will explore historical methods of maple syrup production early 1600’s to 1900?  During the program students will learn that early settlers learned from the first nations people how to use the natural resources for food and tools.

Breckon Shelter

Outdoor

1 hour

Program Name

Curriculum and Topic

Location

Length

Wetland

Explorations

Grade 4

Overall expectations 2, 3.

Understanding Life Systems - Habitats and Communities

- 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9 and 3.10

During this hands-on investigation, students will gain an appreciation of Ontario’s wetlands.  This program includes group activities and live animal collection.  Students will learn about the factors that affect the stability of the wetland habitat.

Nature Centre

Outdoor

1 hour

Grade 4

House Tour

General house tour.  See how energy was used and conserved even 100 years ago!  How did they manage without hydro?

Spruce Lane Farmhouse

Indoor

1/2 hour

Program Name

Curriculum and Topic

Location

Length

Budding

Biodiversity

Grade 5& 6

Overall expectation

1, 2, 3.

Understanding Life Systems – Biodiversity

- 1.1,1.2, 2.2, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.7.

Students will examine a field and forest habitat discussing influences on biodiversity.  Local issue could include invasive species, recreational use vs park protection, encroachment of development effect on carrying capacity. 

Nature Centre

Outdoor hike

1 hour

Program Name

Curriculum and Topic

Location

Length

Geo-Adventure!

Grade 7 & 8

Geography – the themes of geographic inquiry

-         Use a variety of geographic resources and tools to gather, process and communicate geographic information.

Students will gain an understanding of GPS technology through a A/V presentation.  Student will then apply their knowledge and skills to use Hand-held GPS units to locate a series of waypoints. ---high-tech orienteering.

Breckon Shelter

Outdoor

1 hour

NEW

A Changing Society

Grade 7 & 8

History - British  North America / History - Canada: A Changing Society

- Demonstrate an understanding of life in English Canada - Demonstrate an understanding of how diverse groups and individuals have contributed to the historical, cultural and economic development of Canada. 

The setting for this program is a farmhouse that was built in 1899 and it is the perfect spot to examine the changing roles of men, women and children in this era.    A house tour will set the stage, as there is evidence of class and gender roles.

Spruce Lane Farmhouse

Indoor

1 hour

Maple Syrup 

Grade 7 & 8

Geography – Natural Resources

- Demonstrate an understanding of how Canada’s natural resources have contributed to its economic development.

- Identify factors that affect the use and value of natural resources (supply, demand, technology)

Classes can discover nature’s sweetest treat!  Students will explore historical methods of maple syrup production pre-1900.  During the program students will measure and tap a tree and learn how sap is collected and made into syrup or sugar. Students will gain an appreciation that people use renewable resources in a variety of ways.

Breckon Shelter

Outdoor

1 hour