Valley Branch ELC Classes
FALL AND SPRING CLASSES
Grade 3
NAME IT
In this activity students will hike the trails to search for plants and
animals. The class will record what they find and develop a system to
sort their data in a logical order. In addition to hiking, this
activity may include games related to classification. This course
addresses the following Science Standard: (IV.B4) Know that living
things can be sorted into groups in many ways according to their varied
characteristics, structures and behaviors.
NATURE'S WAY
In this activity students will discover the daily interactions between
organisms. They will consider how and why organisms interact, as well
as how changes in habitat effect these organisms. Activities may
include: hiking, questioning, observing, games and writing. This course
will address the following Science Standard: (IV.C3) Understand that an
organism's pattern of behavior are related to the nature of its
environment.
NATURE INVESTIGATORS
This class focuses on the many ways that scientists learn about our
world. The students will learn more about nature by using tools to
investigate what they find. Activities include: measuring, observing,
identifying, collecting, etc. This course will address the following
Science Standard: (I.A3) Understand the use of science as a tool to
examine the natural world, and (I.B3) Understand the nature of scientific
investigations.
FALL AND SPRING CLASSES
Grade 5
ARCHAEOLOGY
Are you interested in discovering hidden mysteries of the past? In this
unit you will explore an abandoned homestead, measure the site and
record the artifacts found there. A long walk will be necessary to get
to the homestead site. Students in this activity eat lunch at the site.
Social Studies Standard (5.II.A.1) Students will describe the evidence
of the indigenous cultures of Minnesota, and make reasoned inferences
from that evidence. (5.IV.A.1) Students will define and use terms for
concepts of historical time.
ORIENTEERING
Are you interested in learning how to use a compass? You will be
introduced to basic compass use through such activities as
mini-scavenger hunts and point-to-point orienteering courses. You will
learn how to set and follow a compass bearing, "shoot" a bearing,
measure paces, use landmarks to orient yourself, and walk in the
wilderness without getting lost.Geography Standard (5.V.A.1.1) Students
will locate major Minnesota ecosystems, topographic features,
continental divides, river valleys and cities.
FOREST INVESTIGATIONS
Who needs trees? Not just humans. Many animals live in different types
of forests. You will investigate the habitats of the oak and red pine
forests. How many ways do humans and all other animals depend on trees?
What is a tree worth to you? Science Standard (5.I.B.1) The student
will perform a controlled experiment using a specific step-by-step
procedure and present conclusions supported by the evidence. Math
Standard (5.IV.A.4) Find mean, mode, median, and range of a data set.
POND/STREAM
Water Tigers, Diving Beetles, Larvae galore, and all sorts of creatures
you've never seen before. This unit stresses the diversity of life that
exists in a healthy pond and how people change a pond's water quality
through pollution. You will use pond sampling equipment to collect pond
life for study. Science Standard (5.I.B.1.2) The student will observe
that when a science experiment is repeated, a similar result is
expected. Math Standard (5.IV.A.3) Collect data using measurements,
surveys or experiments and represent data with tables and graphs with
labeling.
MARSH STUDIES
Great Blue Heron, geese, Red-winged Black Birds, deer and invertebrates
all live by or on the marsh. Life in and around the marsh is
investigated. Students will use sampling equipment to discover what
lives in the marsh.Science Standard (5.I.B.1.2) The student will
observe that when a science experiment is repeated, a similar result is
expected. Math Standard (5.IV.A.3) Collect data using measurements,
surveys or experiments and represent data with tables and graphs with
labeling.
PRAIRIE ADVENTURES (FALL ONLY!)
Can you imagine a sea of grass, could you live in a home built of sod?
Imagine your neighbors are many miles away. You will investigate animal
and plant life as well as the human history of the prairie. Insect nets
will be used to catch grass invertebrates. Medicinal uses of prairie
wildflowers will be focused on as well. Geography Standard (5.V.A.1)
Students will locate major Minnesota ecosystems, topographic features,
continental divides, river valleys and cities.
INTERMEDIATE BIRDING
Are you interested in activities that take you outside to observe birds
in their natural home, learn about predator-prey relationships, bird
migration and more? Field guides, binoculars and taxidermied birds and
bird parts will be used. Science Standard (4.IV.B.1) The student will
classify plants and animals according to physical characteristics.
RADIO TRACKING
Students will understand the methodology of scientific investigations,
specifically, the way that scientists use radio telemetry equipment to
aid in their study of animal ranges and behavior. During this lesson
students will get to use real radio telemetry equipment to find an
animal in our forest! This lesson is best for students with a good
understanding of the English language. Science Standard (5.I.C.5.1)
Describe different kinds of work done in science and technology.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Do you have an eye for a great picture? Spend the day learning
techniques for taking a great picture. The outdoors will be your
subject! In the afternoon, you will select the best pictures to put on
an online photo album made just for your class. See pictures that
former students have taken! Art Standard (Visual Arts) Students will
understand the following components of visual arts: principles, such as
repetition, contrast or balance. Students will create original works of
art to express specific artistic ideas.
WINTER CLASSES
Grade 3
NAME IT
In this activity students will hike the trails to search for plants and
animals. The class will record what they find and develop a system to
sort their data in a logical order. In addition to hiking, this
activity may include games related to classification. This course
addresses the following Science Standard: (IV.B4) Know that living
things can be sorted into groups in many ways according to their varied
characteristics, structures and behaviors.
NATURE'S WAY
In this activity students will discover the daily interactions between
organisms. They will consider how and why organisms interact, as well
as how changes in habitat effect these organisms. Activities may
include: hiking, questioning, observing, games and writing. This course
will address the following Science Standard: (IV.C3) Understand that an
organism's pattern of behavior are related to the nature of its
environment.
NATURE INVESTIGATORS
This class focuses on the many ways that scientists learn about our
world. The students will learn more about nature by using tools to
investigate what they find. Activities include: measuring, observing,
identifying, collecting, etc. This course will address the following
Science Standard: I.A3 Understand the use of science as a tool to
examine the natural world, and I.B3 Understand the nature of scientific
investigations.
WINTER CLASSES
Grade 5
RADIO TRACKING
Students will understand the methodology of scientific investigations,
specifically, the way that scientists use radio telemetry equipment to
aid in their study of animal ranges and behavior. During this lesson
students will get to use real radio telemetry equipment to find an
animal in our forest! This lesson is best for students with a good
understanding of the English language. Science Standard (5.I.C.5.1)
Describe different kinds of work done in science and technology.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
You will learn the basics of X-Country Skiing and then spend the day
skiing through the woods enjoying nature and looking for animal signs.
There are many hills at Valley Branch ELC. Be prepared for a good
workout. Dress warmly! Mittens, hat and two pair of socks a must.
ORIENTEERING
Are you interested in learning how to use a compass? You will be
introduced to basic compass use through such activities as
mini-scavenger hunts and point-to-point orienteering courses. You will
learn how to set and follow a compass bearing, "shoot" a bearing,
measure paces, use landmarks to orient yourself, and walk in the
wilderness without getting lost. Geography Standard (5.V.A.1.1)
Students will locate major Minnesota ecosystems, topographic features,
continental divides, river valleys and cities.
OUTDOOR SURVIVAL SKILLS
Would you know what to do if you were lost outside in cold weather? You
will learn important survival skills. What is most important--FOOD,
WATER, or SHELTER? You might be surprised. You will learn how to make a
shelter and what to do for frostbite and hypothermia. These are just a
few of the skills you will learn.
ADAPTATIONS OF ANIMALS
Have you ever wondered how animals stay warm and find food in our snowy
Minnesota winters? This activity invites students to experiment with
various types of insulation to see which is warmest, to try their hand
at feeding like a bird and play the role of a predator or prey in a
game. Science Standard (5.I.B.1) The student will perform a controlled
experiment using a specific step-by-step procedure and present
conclusions suppported by the evidence. Math Standard (5.IV.A.3)
Collect data using measurements, surveys or experiments and represent
the data with tables and graphs with labeling.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Do you have an eye for a great picture? Spend the day learning
techniques for taking a great picture. The outdoors will be your
subject! In the afternoon, you will select the best pictures to put on
an online photo album made just for your class. See pictures that
former students have taken! Art Standard (Visual Arts) Students will
understand the following components of visual arts: principles, such as
repetition, contrast or balance. Students will create original works of
art to express specific artistic ideas.
ANIMAL INVESTIGATIONS
Become an animal investigator as you learn how to read the signs
animals leave at Valley Branch. Identify what animals live here
as you search for tracks, scat, scents, and more. Science
Standards (4.F.5.1) The student will recognize that organisms need
energy to stay alive and grow, and that this energy originates from the
sun. (4.F.5.2) The student will use food webs to describe the
relationship among producers, consumers, and decomposers in an
ecosystem in Minnesota.
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