Web Of Life

A 2-Day Resident Program
for 3rd and 4th Grades

The Web of Life program is developed to teach third and fourth grade students that “everything is connected to everything else.” Students study plants and animals in a “Classroom without walls.” Lessons are blended together to build the “Web of Life” concept. They focus on cognitive and affective objectives in order to motivate students to continue learning about their environment even after the program. Public and private school students spend two days observing, touching, and learning, as college students and teachers guide them through activities.

Contact us for details and scheduling.

 

Activities

Introduction and Discovery Hike

Upon arrival in the auditorium, students receive a brief explanation of how plants and animals require at least three ingredients for life: Food, Water and Shelter. Then a costume clad character (a helper of Mother Nature) enters and anxiously explains its assignment to set up a community of plants and animals using these needs (as represented in the pieces of a huge puzzle sitting on the stage) but managed to get the pieces mixed up in the process! This helper enlists the aid of the students and with map and puzzle pieces search outside for the best location of each creature’s needs. Afterwards, the students return to the auditorium, reassemble the found pieces, and unravel the identity of their plants and animals. Eventually, with the use of puppetry and because of the students’ efforts, these creatures come to life and are able to move into the community.

Artists and Scientists

Students set out for an unexplored area which hasn’t really been explored before. Using special tools, students become “Artists” and/or “Scientists” as they gather information about this special place. As they explore and discover, students have and opportunity to make firsthand contact with natural places and things.

Micro-Parks

Crawling on hands and knees, students set up their own Micro (small) Park. Using a piece of yarn, they set up a boundary for their own special park. Red tipped popsicle sticks are used to highlight special features within the park’s boundaries. After parks are set up, students become “Guides” as they offer tours of their parks.

Earthwalk

An Earthwalk offers fresh, new ways of experiencing the richness of nature. Brief, structured activities introduce the natural world in a non-identicying, non-threatening way. An Earthwalk involves total participation on the part of the students.

Magic Spots

Magic Spot time provides the opportunity for each student to develop a quiet, easy relationship with one particular place in the natural world. The student returns to this spot each day to pause and rest, to sit and absorb, and to reflect and dream.

Home Sweet Home

Join the Mayor and Judge Mopner to tour the three distinct natural communities and help Web-footed Bug Baggers, Tiny Buzzing Bloodsuckers, and Soft Fluttering Nectar Sippers search for “HOME SWEET HOME.” Participate in the court room drama when a marsh turns into a field. Examine the evidence presented and decide if former marsh residents can relocate in the field or forest or if they must go to the morgue for recycling. No matter where you live, the concept of community really hits home.

Animal Art

Using materials provided by the McKeever Center (construction paper, glue, tape, crayons, etc.), each student will make a headband representing his or her plant or animal. These headbands will be worn during the “Web of Life” activity.

Web of Life

Students role play a plant or animal while wearing their headbands. After an introduction about how all plants and animals are connected, students pass around a ball of string to form a complex web — showing how plants and animals are connected into the “Web of Life.”

 

Schedule at a Glance

Day 1
11:00……….Arrival & Greeting (auditorium), move into lodges, facility tour
12:00……….Lunch
12:45……….Time to Brush Teeth!*
1:00…………Introduction to Discovery Hike (auditorium)
1:15…………Discovery Hike
2:30…………Break
2:45…………Micro Parks
3:45…………Break
4:00…………Artists and Scientists
5:00…………Leisure Time*
6:00…………Supper
7:00…………Earthwalk and Magic Spots
8:30…………Evening Activities*
10:00……….Ready for Bed!
10:30……….Lights Out

Day 2
7:30…………Rise and Shine! Pack and clean up lodges*
8:00…………Breakfast
8:45…………Home Sweet Home
10:30……….Animal Art
11:00……….The Web of Life
11:30……….Magic Spots
……………….Evaluations
12:00……….Lunch
1:00…………Departure

* Teachers are responsible for students at these times.

 

Get the details and schedule.

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