Teacher Proram Guide
Janet Huckabee Arkansasa River Valley Nature Center 8300 Wells Lake Road Fort Smith, AR 72916 (479) 452-3993 www.rivervalleynaturecenter.com
Make Tracks to your next fieldtrip To schedule a field trip to the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center visit www.rivervalleynaturecenter.com, o to the Teacher Resources pae, and fill out the Proram Request Form online. For more information or eneral questions, please call (479) 452-3993 or email info@rivervalleynaturecenter.com.
Conservation education comes easy at Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center. Prorams in these six themes or tracks are offered to teachers and students. Water Conservation Fish Samplin 3rd-12th rade How Many Macros 1st-12th rade Natural History Fossils: Ancient Sins of Life 1st-9th rade Reions of Diversity 5th-8th rade Trees Tree Walk 4th-12th rade What is a Tree 1st-5th rade Animals Arkansas Critters: Mammals PreK-2th rade Birdin Expedition: Birds 2nd-12th rade Cold Blooded Characters: Amphibians and Reptiles 1st-6th rade In the Footsteps of Animals PreK-12th rade Insect Investiations: Insects PreK-4th rade Slitherin Snakes: Reptiles 1st-12th rade Story with a Critter PreK-1st rade Walk Like a Bear PreK-2nd rade
Habitats/Adaptations A Bird s Beak 4th-8th rade Blendin In 1st-6th rade Ecoloy 101 5th-10th rade Predator Prey Game 3rd-6th rade Outdoor Skills Archery 1st-12th rade BB Guns 3rd-12th rade Boatin 5th-12th rade Fishin PreK-12th rade Laser Shot 3rd -12th rade Trap Shootin 7th-12th rade Guided Hikes ADA Accessible Guided Hike PreK-12th rade General Guided Hike 2nd-12th rade PreK Guided Hike PreK-1st rade Tree Walk 4th-12th rade Birdin Expedition 2nd-12th rade In the Footsteps of Animals PreK-12th Most of our prorams support the state curriculum and our educational staff can work with teachers to develop customized prorams beyond what we are currently offerin. Prorams last between 30 45 minutes each. We recommend a maximum of three prorams per field trip. We invite your roups to visit the ift shop. Tax is already included and items are all rounded to the nearest quarter. This makes for an easy math activity for students.
Some of our prorams have special considerations, please note the followin key: Water activity Located at ede of lake Hike Walkin required Water Conservation Fish Samplin 3rd-12th rade The diversity of fish in Wells Lake can help determine water quality. Students, wearin waders we provide, investiate by catchin fish with a seine net. How Many Macros 1st-12th rade Students will use a variety of samplin methods to catch macroinvertebrates in Wells Lake. Be prepared to be at the lake s ede. Samplin results are more accurate in warmer months. Natural History Fossils: Ancient Sins of Life 1st--4th rade Students will discover ancient sins of life by makin replica fossils or searchin for fossils. Students will discover ancient sins of life by discussion and reconition of fossils. Reions of Diversity 5th-8th rade A lare eoraphical map will help students investiate the six natural divisions of Arkansas. Educators will focus on the local reions of the Ozarks, Ouachitas, and River Valley by studyin the natural history of the reions.
Trees What is a Tree? 1st-5th rade Trees are livin oranisms, and throuh ames, students will discover what trees need to survive and compete, as well as discover the functions of tree parts. Tree Walk 4th-12th rade On a uided walk, students will learn how to identify trees throuh distinuishin characteristics. Animals Arkansas Critters: Mammals PreK-12th rade Students will study a variety of animals in the Arkansas River Valley via skins, furs, and bones. They also will learn about physical characteristics of animals, fun facts, and behaviors. Birdin Expedition: Birds 2nd-12th rade Throuh a hike, students will learn how to identify common birds of the Arkansas River Valley. Cold Blooded Characters: 1st-6th rade Amphibians and Reptiles Get to know a few cold blooded oranisms up close and personal. Throuh a live reptile and amphibian proram, where students will et to see live critters, they will study the physical characteristics, habits, and natural history of local cold blooded characters. In the Footsteps of Animals PreK-12th rade Students will learn to read the story of an animal s footprints durin a uided walk as they search out sins of wildlife.
Insect Investiations: Insects PreK -4th rade Throuh a catch and release activity, students learn to identify insects based on physical characteristics. Slitherin Snakes: Reptiles 1st -12th rade Students will be a part of a live snake show. They will see and touch native snakes, learn to identify common snakes of the Arkansas River Valley. They will also be tauht the differences between venomous and non-venomous snakes. Story with a Critter PreK-1st rade Youn students will discover all about a local animal throuh storytime, followed by a chance to meet the animal. Walk Like a Bear PreK -2nd rade This proram about the Black Bears in Arkansas enaes youth in a ame, where they will learn about the habitat needs of black bears. Habitat/Adaptation A Bird s Beak 4th-8th rade How do birds eat? Which beaks are better for catchin insects, or for eatin seeds? Our feathered friends have many beak adaptations that allow them to better survive. Students will discover which types of beaks are best for certain tasks. Blendin In 1st-6th rade How do animals use camouflae? Students will learn all about the benefits of blendin in in nature, and how camouflae and behavioral adaptations have aided animals in survival.
Ecoloy 101 5th-10th rade What are the components of an ecosystem. Hands on studies of small ecosystems will teach students about the factors of ecosystems, includin the biotic livin factors and the abiotic non-livin factors. Predator Prey Game 3rd-6th rade Students will become either the predator or the prey throuh an interactive ame where they ll learn all about the effects of predation in the natural world around them. Guided Hikes Pre K Guided Hike PreK-1st rade A special uided hike just for preschool and lower elementary. General Guided Hike 2nd-12th rade Students will learn about local habitats alon either the Field and Forest, or Oak Savannah Trails. ADA Accessible Hike Pre K-1st rade Students will learn about wetlands, lakes, and local habitats alon either the Beaver Creek or Wells Lake ADA trails. Tree Walk 4th-12th rades On a uided walk, students will learn how to identify trees throuh distinuishin characteristics. Birdin Expedition 2nd -12th rade Throuh a hike, students will learn how to identify common birds of the Arkansas River Valley.
In the Footsteps of Animals PreK-12th rade Students will learn to read the story of an animal s footprints durin a uided walk as they search out sins of wildlife. Outdoor Skills Archery 1st-12th rade Students will have the opportunity to learn about a traditional ame sport, archery. Techniques and safety will be introduced, and students will have a chance to try their hand at this skill. Note: Teachers will be required to provide extra adult supervision. BB Guns 3rd-12th rade Students will learn un safety, and aimin techniques throuh hands on shootin of BB Guns under direct staff supervision. Boatin 5th-12th rade Students will learn simple canoein or kayakin strokes and basic safety procedures. They ll paddle on Wells Lake. Note: Teachers will be required to provide extra adult supervision. Fishin PreK-12th rade Students will have the opportunity to catch the bi one! Educators will assist students in learnin about castin, bait, and tackle. Note: Cane Poles suested for PreK-3rd Grade; Rod & Reels for 4th-12th Grade. Laser Shot 3rd-12th rade Students will learn un safety, and aimin techniques throuh a computer enerated laser un activity. Trap Shootin 7th -12th Grade Call for details on this introduction to the AYSSP protocols.
Notes The mission of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is to wisely manae the fish and wildlife resources of the state while providin maxium enjoyment fo rthe people.