Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - Preschool and Kindergarten School Programs (U.S. National Park Service)

Preschool - Fall	Kindergarten - Fall
Preschool - Winter	Kindergarten - Winter
Preschool - Spring	Kindergarten - Spring
Scheduling Information

This preschool class is enjoying the short hike to Munising Falls.

NPS photo

Preschool class at Munising Falls

Preschool - Fall
Exploring the World of Autumn
Michigan Science Alignment:
Organization of Living Things L.0L.00.11, L.0L.00.12

In the classroom for 30 minutes: A sensory exploration of signs of autumn including fall leaves, seeds, galls, and insect larva.

One-hour field trip at your school site, Sand Point, or Grand Sable Visitor Center: A sensory exploration of the outdoors along with several learning games about the fall colors and ways that plants and animals prepare for winter.

Preschool - Winter
Exploring the World of Snowflake Weather
Michigan Science Alignment:
Inquiry Process S.IP.00.11, S.IA.E.1 and S.IA.E.1

In the classroom for 30 minutes: Children will learn what weather is. They will play a game to learn about the different shapes of snowflakes. They will observe mounted animal specimens and outline the foot shape of these animals.

One hour field trip at your school site or Pictured Rocks: Children will use “snowflake catchers” to observe snowflakes. They will also imitate movements of different animals making tracks in the snow. They will hike or snowshoe to explore signs of winter weather.

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Preschool - Spring
Exploring the Forest and the Plants and Animals There
Michigan Science Alignment:
Life Science: L.OL.00.11 (life requirements)
Thinking Skills: Observation and use of senses
Climate Change: Information about how spring may be coming earlier each year due to climate change.

In the classroom for 30 minutes: Students will learn about their basic needs and the basic needs of plants and animals. They will learn how to tell plants and animals apart. They will learn how animals survived winter and what the five human senses are.

One-hour field trip at your school site or Pictured Rocks: Students will practice using their five senses and go on a nature hike to use them while looking for signs of spring and different plants and animals.

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Kindergarten - Fall
Stored Sun Energy: Seeds and Scavenger Hunt
Michigan Science Alignment:
Inquiry Process S.IP.E. 1
Reflection and Social Implications S.R.S.E. 1

In the classroom for 30 minutes: Students will examine wildflower seeds. They will learn how the sun stores energy in seeds and
describe different shapes and planting strategies.

Ninety minute field trip at your school site, Sand Point, or Grand Sable Visitor Center: A hike to explore events of autumn, collect seeds and examine seed adaptations in action!

Kindergarten - Winter
An Introduction to Snow, Ice, and our Winter Climate
Michigan Science Alignment:
Inquiry Process S.IP.E1
Reflection, Social Implications S.RS.E1
Earth Science E.SE.00.11

In the classroom for one hour: Students will learn what weather is and what climate is. Students will examine snow and ice to learn what they are and how they reshape our outdoor scene. They will also participate in activities to help them become more observant in the winter environment using their eyes and nose.

One hour snowshoe field trip at your school site or Pictured Rocks: Students will use “snowflake catchers” to observe snowflakes. They will also use hand lenses to examine similarities and differences in snow and ice. Students will use frames to look at different snow scenes, listen for the “song of winter,” and use a “magic Frisbee” to find hidden treasures under the snow!

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Kindergarten - Spring
Feathers, Fur, Classification and New Species to our Area
Michigan Science Alignments:
Life Science: L.L.00.12 (Identify and compare living things)
Heredity: L.HE.01.11 (Identify animal characteristics)

Thinking Skills: Observe, classify and use of senses.
Climate Change: Information about new species moving into region due to climate change such as cardinals and badgers

In the classroom for 45 minutes: Students will observe different animal specimens to learn how to tell them apart. They will classify animals with backbones into groups and sing the Backbones Song!

One-hour field trip to Pictured Rocks or outside at school site: Children will play a running game called Owls and Crows, go on a five senses learning hike and a participate in a scavenger hunt for animals with backbones.

When scheduling a program, please determine your preferred date and a few alternate dates. Please contact:

David Kronk, Park Ranger
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
P.O. Box 40
Munising, MI 49862
(906) 387-2607, ext. 206
e-mail

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