Education Naturally
Education Naturally is The Riverwood Conservancy's outdoor education program for students in grades JK through 8. Opportunities to study wildlife, geology, ecology, and natural history abound at Riverwood. Active, engaging experiences await your students as they take part in ongoing research and stewardship programs that will add to their understanding of the natural world and today’s science curriculum.
Your students will explore an urban wilderness of forests, meadows and wetlands nestled along the banks of the Credit River. Our living laboratory is home to abundant wildlife, providing students opportunities to interact with and study a variety of birds, deer, and other wildlife. Programs also explore plants and geology.
While many of our activities take place outdoors, classroom instruction is provided in MacEwan Field Station. This 150-year-old structure is fully heated and air-conditioned to make your experience here enjoyable. Winter is a wonderful time to visit with special opportunities for students to enjoy close encounters with wildlife.
All Education Naturally programs reflect the revised Ministry of Education Science Guidelines (2007) and support the goals and expectations of the science and geography curricula. In keeping with the new guidelines, each program includes a stewardship activity that relates to the student’s environment. Pre- and post-visit activities designed to integrate with your classroom units are also provided.
Most Education Naturally programs are supported by an e-book, each generously illustrated with images and age-appropriate text to help students better understand the concepts covered. Written by Dave Taylor, our Education Program Director/Consultant, the e-books provide basic facts while challenging the students to become involved.
Education Naturally brochure 2012-2013
All Education Naturally programs reflect the revised Ministry of Education Science Guidelines (2007) and support the goals and expectations of the science and geography curricula. In keeping with the new guidelines, each program includes a stewardship activity that relates to the student’s environment. Pre- and post-visit activities designed to integrate with your classroom units are also provided.
Most Education Naturally programs are supported by an e-book, each generously illustrated with images and age-appropriate text to help students better understand the concepts covered. Written by Dave Taylor, our Education Program Director/Consultant, the e-books provide basic facts while challenging the students to become involved.
Education Naturally brochure 2012-2013
Hot Chocolate and Wild Birds, Winter JK-6 Half-day Program
Students are welcomed to MacEwan Field Station where they enjoy an indoor program making bird feeders to hang outdoors. They then go outside to explore the chickadees' habitat, meeting the birds and hand-feeding them. Afterwards, students return to the classroom to warm up with hot chocolate.This program provides a wonderful opportunity for teachers and students to explore the wonder of Ontario’s winter environment.
Primary Programs
Grade 1: Living Things
Students discover animal and plant characteristics and patterns using sensory techniques, appropriate tools for magnification and exploratory hikes on the Riverwood property. The winter bird program and spring tadpole program are teacher favourites.
Grade 2: Growth in Animals
Students observe various life stages of animals (e.g., toads and tadpoles) and explore their environment to learn how the environment helps them to maintain optimum health. They experience the tricks of survival by exploring how animals adapt and change their behaviours.
Grade 3: Growth in Plants
A visit to both deciduous and coniferous forests enchant students with the diversity of life. Many classes schedule a greenhouse visit and prepare a plant to take home. Alternatively, soil and erosion may be explored.
Junior Programs
Grade 4: Rocks and Minerals
Grade 4: Habitats
Grade 5: Mapping
This special unit developed by our staff is delivered on request. Students are involved in reading and interpreting maps as well as mapping the locations of various species seen on the property.
This special unit developed by our staff is delivered on request. Students are involved in reading and interpreting maps as well as mapping the locations of various species seen on the property.
Junior-Intermediate Programs
Grade 6: Biodiversity
The diverse roles of vertebrates and invertebrates are explored. Seasonally, fish migration viewed at the Credit River is popular with many teachers.
Grade 7: Ecology
Biotic and abiotic features of forest, meadow and the Credit River are examined using binoculars and microscopes.Grade 8: Water Systems
Students study fresh water environments including the Credit River and local wetlands of Riverwood. Half-day visits can be arranged, including hikes along the Credit River.
Booking and Fees
Bookings
To schedule a visit for your class, please call 905-279-5878 or email Info@TheRiverwoodConservancy.org.
We suggest that you book early because the calendar fills quickly. Don't forget that winter is also a wonderful time to visit. There is no limit to the number of times your school may visit.
Fees
Half-day programs: The cost per visit is $5.00 per child with a minimum charge of $65.00 per classroom.
For your convenience, you may download a form to collect parental consent and confidential health and safety information for students. This form (or your school's equivalent form) is required for all students participating in a program at Riverwood.
Important information (including cancellation policy) for teachers and students about your visit to Riverwood.
Click here to download.