Classroom Programs

Students work together to make a food web during a classroom program.

NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

Elementary Grade Levels

The preserve has developed original, free Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) based classroom programs for elementary grade levels. Explore Big Thicket elementary program descriptions below. Programs utlize student-centered techniques in a classroom or alternative setting and include hands-on materials, auidence participation, and fun activities (none of Big Thicket's programs incorporate live animals). All ranger-led classroom programs are 45 minutes long with additional Q & A time upon request. These programs are best delivered to classroom-sized audiences and can be given up to three times per day. Programs can also be scaled and facilitated for bigger audiences or entire grade levels in a larger program space (library, gym, etc.). If you have accommodation requests or questions, please complete the reservation form below and our Education Coordinator will contact you to finalize your program. All programs require a reservation.

Other Grade Levels

Please inquire about a classroom program even if you do not see your grade level or subject of interest listed below. Depending on schedules and staffing, Big Thicket may be able to create a TEK-based program that fits your group’s needs. All programs require a reservation.

 

Program Descriptions

TEKS, featured content or props, and activities for each grade level.

1st Grade

TEKS: Science 1.11.B & 1.11.C      

Summary: Discover the importance of water conservation through the lenses of various animals that call Big Thicket’s waterways home. Students will engage with a variety of riparian animal props and determine which choices and actions help preserve Big Thicket’s natural waterways for both animals and humans alike.

2nd Grade

TEKS: Science 2.13.A

Summary: Is this a plant, or not? Students collaborate to learn about many exciting plant species. Numerous student-centered activities allow for a deeper understanding of Big Thicket’s native plants and the structures they possess that help them survive.

3rd Grade

TEKS: Science 3.13. A  & 3.13.B 

Summary: Big Thicket is home to diverse animals that live in challenging environments. Drawing inferences from a diverse array of animal props, students will explore and compare the life cycles of different animals and connect how their individual structures have enabled them to survive in each stage of life.

4th Grade

TEKS: Science 4.12.B     

Summary: Producers, consumers, and decomposers are all important parts of a healthy, thriving ecosystem. Students will work together to identify these roles and form connections between Big Thicket's plants, animals, and fungi. Food web activities challenge students to recognize the importance of each species and the how energy moves through an ecosystem.

5th Grade

TEKS: Science 5.13.B     

Summary: Animals in the Big Thicket are constantly making survival decisions in a pinch! Will the Bobcat pounce and attack? Or wait and stalk its prey? Students are presented with multiple survival scenarios and must infer from props to determine which instinctual or learned behavior will help each species most. 

 

A student reaches out to touch a bear skull during a classroom program activity.

NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

How to Reserve a Program

April and May are our busiest months of the year for education programs. Please consider requesting a classroom program during other months, well in advance, or when a ranger-led program would best support your students' learning.

How to reserve:
1. Determine the audience size, location, and scheduling details of your request.
2. Fill out the digital form below.

If your group prefers to have a ranger facilitate a program two or three times to smaller audiences instead of just once, or you need to communicate additional information, you may find it easier to complete the fillable Education Reservation Form (sections 1 and 3 for classroom programs) and email it back to us at [e-mail].

If you require help with either version of the form or need more information before completing your request, email us at [e-mail] or call the visitor center at 409-951-6700.

 

Digital Reservation Form

NPS Form 10-1750 (Rev. 04/2021)
National Park Service

OMB Control No. 1024-0228
Expiration Date 11/30/2025

Learning Accommodations

Does anyone in your group need any accommodations?

Yes No

If yes, describe the accommodation need.

Next Step

School / Organization Contact Information

School / Organization Name (required)

Name of Requester/Contact Person (required)

Title / Position (required)

Contact Email Address (required)

Contact Phone Number (required)
123-456-7890 extension if any

Contact Mailing Address Country

I have a US mailing address

I have a mailing address outside the US

International Mailing Address (required)
Please include building number and street, city, state/province country and Postal Code

Mailing Address (required)

City (required)

State (required)

Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas Armed Forces - Americas Armed Forces - Europe Armed Forces - Pacific California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

ZIP (required)
Five digit ZIP code [99999]

Next Step

Group Details - Ranger in Classroom Program

Name of Primary Contact if Different Than Above (optional)

Title / Position of Primary Contact if Different Than Above (optional)

Email Address of Primary Contact if Different Than Above (optional)

Phone Number of Primary Contact if Different Than Above (optional)
Format: 123-456-7890

Program Name or Subject Requested

How much time will the ranger have to conduct the program? (required)

Grade Level(s) of Students (required)

Number of Staff / Chaperones (required)

Number of Students (required)

Preferred Date of Visit (required)
format mmddyyyy

My preferred date has been confirmed by the park (required)

Yes No

Preferred Program Start Time (required)

Alternative Date(s) (required)
Enter one or more dates.

Disclaimer:

A park representative will follow-up to confirm group details once this request has been received and reviewed.

Submit my Education Reservation Request

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NPS Form 10-1750 (Rev. 04/2021)
National Park Service

OMB Control No. 1024-0228
Expiration Date 11/31/2025

Notices

Privacy Act Statement

Authority: Public Law 114-289 National Park Service Centennial Act and 54 U.S.C. 100701 Protection, interpretation, and research in System.

Purpose: To administer education programs for education audiences including but not limited to school groups, scouting groups, extracurricular groups, and home school groups.

Routine Uses: To effectively manage requests for education received by the NPS, the Education Reservation Request Form is used to collect basic education reservation information to facilitate operational aspects of scheduling groups for park education programs, including in-park education programs, ranger in classroom programs, and/or online distance learning programs.

Disclosure: Voluntary, however, failure to provide the requested information may impede the ability to grant your education reservation request.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

We are collecting this information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501) to provide park managers and educators the information needed to schedule and conduct education program activities. All applicable parts of the form must be completed in order for your request to be considered. You are not required to respond to this or any other Federal agency-sponsored information collection unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. OMB has approved this collection of information and assigned control number 1024-0288.

Estimated Burden Statement

Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to average 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525. Do not send your completed form to this address.

 

NPS Photo / Scott Sharaga

Still Have Questions?

Email us at [e-mail] or call the visitor center at 409-951-6700.

Return to the Education Page