Grades K-6: Programs for Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge

Bringing nature exploration into your classroom through interactive videoconferences from the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge.
Get ready to interact and learn about nature, wildlife and preservation of natural areas!
These are their top four most requested programs from teachers.

A Monarch Journey
They are colorful, small, and travel thousands of miles each fall and spring. Delve into a Monarch butterfly life’s journey by exploring their life cycles, adaptations, and migration. In addition, find out ways to help them through their life’s journey.

Lonestar Bats
Bats are more than just a unique flying mammal. They play an important role as pollinators, pest controllers, and fertilizers. Join the Nature Center as we learn more about the common bats that live in our area, their plight, and how important they are for our own survival here on earth.

Turtles are Terrific
Turtles are one of the most recognized groups of animals living on this planet. Why has this ancient group of animals been so successful? During this program we will learn about where they live, what they eat and how they are surviving in the modern world. Weather 101: 100%
Spring time brings many shades of weather. It brings clear days with hints of thin clouds. It also brings days full of big puffy ominous clouds that bring danger. Join us as we discuss different facets of weather such as cloud types, rain, lightning, and storms; including tornadoes.

Other programs they offer include:
Animal Associations
Creatures of the Night
Dragons in the Skies
Gator Talk
Reading the Wild
Animal Survivor
Hovering Hummers
Skullduggery
Backyard Bird Watching and Beyond
It’s a Dog’s Life - Prairie Dogs
Submerged Inhabitants
Bison: Back from the Brink
It’s a Jungle Out There
Texas Scavengers
Classroom Creatures
Jewels of the Prairie
The Amazing North American Turkey
Migration Mania
The Dirt on Worms
Mission Opossumable
The Importance of Being a Bee
Endangered Texans
Nature’s Pollinators
The Magnificent Five
Finding the Cure for the “Bluebird Bug”
Nature’s Distinctions
Owls: While You Were Asleep
F-16’s of the Summer Skies
Raptors: Outside Jurassic Park
Winter Constellations

Visit www.Connect2Texas.net for program descriptions, grade level,
availability, fees and registration.

For more information on the Fort Worth Nature Center or inquiries about their distance learning programs,
please contact Ken Seleske at Ken.Seleske@fortworthgov.org or (817) 392-7410.

K-12: Spend Your Holidays with INFOhio!

Spend your holidays with INFOhio!
October 19, 2009 from 3:30 to 4:30


Students will use INFOhio's electronic resources to research and then collaborate by using lesson plans already created and found at Education World, Students, grades 5 - 8, should be familiar with INFOhio's electronic resources before the activity begins.

The Premise:

The U.S. Congress has decided to change the name of the holiday celebrated on the last Thursday in November. The name "thanksgiving" doesn't capture the entire spirit of the day. The holiday should be a day for more than just giving thanks. Congress has asked your class to help choose a better name.
Working in teams your class will brainstorm what Thanksgiving is all about, research customs and experiences, identify character traits that might be demonstrated in our thanksgiving practices, and choose a new name for the holiday.

The following curriculum standards are met with this activity-

Content Area: English Language Arts - Writing
Standard: 04. Research
Students define and investigate self-selected or assigned issues, topics and problems. They locate, select and make use of relevant information from a variety of media, reference and technological sources. Students use an appropriate form to communicate their findings.

Grade Band: 05-07
Benchmark: E. Communicate findings orally, visually and in writing or through multimedia.

Grade Level: Grade Six

Indicator: 08. /
Use a variety of communication techniques, including oral, visual, written or multimedia reports, to present information that supports a clear position with organized and relevant evidence about the topic or research question.

Content Area: Library
Standard: 04. Library-based Technology
Effective school library media programs provide, integrate and utilize a technology rich environment to support teaching and learning. Expanded access to information is achieved by providing cutting-edge technologies that enable the school library media center to function as a virtual gateway to information. Technology is used to acquire, organize, produce and disseminate information. Assistive technologies equalize access to information for all students. The school library media specialist provides leadership to students and staff in the use of the Internet, electronic resources and other library-based technologies.

Grade Band: K-12
Benchmark: C. Demonstrate effective usage of library-based technologies, including the Internet and other electronic resources for teaching and learning.

Grade Level: Grade Twelve

Indicator: 09. /
Facilitate linkages to and integration of state electronic resources (e.g., AreaMediaCenters, INFOhio, ODE Instructional Management System, Ohio Historical Society, OhioResourceCenter).


Content Area: Library
Standard: 06. Technology Literacy
Effective school library media programs provide technology literacy skills instruction in the use of library-based technologies. Technology literacy skills include the appropriate and ethical use of technology for information access, retrieval, production, dissemination via electronic resource networks and the Internet.

Grade Band: 6-8
Benchmark: C. Select, access and use appropriate electronic resources for a defined information need.

Grade Level: Grade Seven

Indicator: 02. /
Examine information in different types of subscription (fee-based) databases to locate information for a curricular need (e.g., online encyclopedia, online subject dictionaries, magazine index, picture archive).


To schedule this video conference, e-mail IVDLorders@laca.org with your contact information, video conference contact person, site name, IP address and troubleshooting phone number.
If there are any additional questions, please contact Trish Baker, pbaker@laca.org.

Grades K-12: Owls, Skulls, Bats, Witches, Creatures and MORE!

Owls, Skulls, Bats, Witches, Creatures and MORE!
Schedule your Connect2Texas programs for October now before they vanish into darkness .

ASI: Animal Skull Investigation! Grade: 3rd-6th
Cost: $55 per site
This interactive presentation allows students the opportunity to investigate skulls of native Texas animals. Unique adaptive traits will be discussed and students will be asked to look for clues to determine the identity and feeding habits of our mystery specimens. WANT MORE? Check out our "Animal Adaptations" trunk, full of skulls, scat and tracks! It's available to educators on a 2-week loan, TEKS aligned, and AT NO CHARGE!

Classroom Creatures Grade: 4th-8th
Cost: $125 per site
Some are creepy, some are slimy, some are beautiful, and all them are great teaching tools. Animals in the classroom can be fun but you need to be able to choose the correct one for your situation. Do you want an animal that requires little care, is odor free and will teach you about the animals’ life cycle? This program will help you and your students decide which classroom animal is just right for your project.

Homecoming Mum Mania Grade: 9th-12th
Cost: $50 per site
Fall means homecoming! Giving and wearing mum corsages for this special occasion is observed almost exclusively in the south. The program features the history of this uniquely southern tradition and highlights the Chrysanthemum's role in various cultures in the past and today. Students will meet Dr. Brooke Byerley to take a closer look at the botany of the chrysanthemum and discover even more interesting facts about this member of the Asteraceae (compositae) Sunflower or Daisy family,one of the top three largest plant families on Earth. If you teach more than one class, BRIT will remain connected to deliver this program at the same site at multiple times to accomodate your class schedule for a discounted fee of $40.00 per additional program. Please allow 2 weeks notice to arrange the day's schedule.

Skullduggery Grade: 2nd-12th
Cost: $125 per site
Explore the amazing world of animal skulls through a close up examination of a variety of different skulls. Learn how to identify predators and prey and look for various adaptations that make each animal unique.
Owls...While You Were Asleep Grade: 2nd -8th
Cost: $125 per site
Join the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge as we discuss the natural history of Owls, discuss their adaptations for evening hunting, common owls in our area, and a special visit from one of our education birds.

Lonestar Bats Grade: 1st-7th
Cost: $125 per site
Bats are more than just a unique flying mammal. They play an important role as pollinators, pest controllers, and fertilizers. Join the Nature Center as we learn more about the common bats that live in our area, their plight, and how important they are for our own survival here on earth.

The Crucible Grade: 8th-12th
Cost: $150 per site
The Crucible - Stage West, October 2008. Because all high school juniors and AP history students study The Crucible, we will present two days of performances onstage at Bass Hall. For more than 25 years this local professional theater company has been recognized for its excellent productions. Jerry Russell, founder and producing director of Stage West, and his talented cast are certain to bring a new perception to this American classic. Connections: language arts and reading comprehension, theater

BATS: LIVE on the BIG screen! Grade: 2nd-6th
Cost: $55 per site
This interactive presentation allows students the opportunity to investigate the relationship between the anatomy and the ecology, including the dietary habits, of different species of bats. LIVE bats will be used during the program!
To register go to www.Connect2Texas.net and click on the "Calendar of Programs and Register" button. If the program is full contact the provider for a special requested date/time. Provider information is under the "Contact Us" button.

Grades 3-4: Life Cycles of Animals

Life Cycles of Animals
SOITA

Bob Stricker
bob@soita.org
150 East Sixth Street
Franklin, OH 45005
United States
Phone: (937) 746-6333 ext. 120
Fax: (937) 746-1029
Education: Grade(s): 3, 4
Have you ever wondered how a caterpillar changes into a butterfly? Or why frogs begin life with gills and then develop lungs? During this session students will learn about the life cycles of frogs and butterflies. We will discuss birth, maturity, reproduction, and death as it pertains to each animal’s life cycle.
45 minutes
This program is available by request ONLY
Interactive Cost: $150.00
Interactive Cost with Premium Service: $135.00 What's this?
Premium Service provides additional benefits. Learn more!
Receiving Site is responsible for own line charge

Grades 3-4: Kids Rock! A Look at Rocks and Minerals

Kids Rock! A Look at Rocks and Minerals
SOITA

Bob Stricker
bob@soita.org
150 East Sixth Street
Franklin, OH 45005
United States
Phone: (937) 746-6333 ext. 120
Fax: (937) 746-1029
Education: Grade(s): 3, 4
Want to learn some fun facts about rocks and minerals? In this session students will make observations about different types of rocks, understand the process of weathering and erosion, and learn about the rock cycle.
45 minutes
This program is available by request ONLY
Interactive Cost: $150.00

Grades 4-5: Where the Buffalo Roam

Where the Buffalo Roam
Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center

Leslie Charles
lcharles@mvesc.k12.oh.us
205 North 7th Street
Zanesville, OH 43701
United States
Phone: (740) 452-4518 ext. 133
Fax: (740) 455-6702
Education: Grade(s): 4, 5
Students will investigate the ways in which the Native Americans relied on the buffalo for their survival. Shared discussion, videos, literature, and an interactive game will show students how valuable this resource was in their lives. Don't miss out on this fall event!
Please allow 50-60 minutes
This program is available by request ONLY
This program is available by request/on demand ONLY
Interactive Cost: $75.00
Point to Point Cost: $75.00
By Request Cost: $75.00
Premium Service provides additional benefits. Learn more!
Receiving Site is responsible for own line charge