Preschool and Kindergarten School Programs
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Gregg Bruff, Chief of Heritage Education, and Dave Kronk, Park Ranger, have retired from the National Park Service. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore continues our commitment to outreach education and creating park stewards for the future through hands-on, minds-on programming. With these vacancies, however, we are in transition with the interpretation and education outreach program. For information, please contact: Tim Colyer, Chief of Resource and Visitor Protection 906-387-2607, ext. 203 
Preschool class at Munising Falls NPS photo 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. Lesson plan for classroom activity (pdf) Lesson plan for outdoor activity (pdf) Match the snowflake (pdf) Keeping a snowflake (pdf) Snowflake identification chart (pdf)
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.
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! Lesson plan for classroom activity (pdf) Lesson plan for outdoor activity (pdf) Snowflake identification chart (pdf)
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. |
Did You Know?
The North Country National Scenic Trail connects outstanding scenic, natural, and cultural sites in seven northern states from Crown Point, New York, to Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota. The trail was established on March 5, 1980. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is home to 42 miles of the NCNST. More...