Homeschool Edventures 2015-2016

Homeschool Ed-ventures
Registration Form
2015 - 2016
Participant’s Name:
____________________________________
Participant’s Age: __________
Participant’s Grade Level: __________
Parent or Guardian’s Name:
____________________________________
Address: ____________________________
____________________________________
Phone: _____________________________
Email (for class info and updates):
____________________________________
Select day and circle age group:
_____ Mondays 9am-12pm
Dragonflies (grades K4-K5),
Monarchs (grades 1-2), Hawks (grades 3-4),
Sturgeon (grades 5-7),
Coyotes (grades 8-12)
_____ Fridays 9am-12pm
Dragonflies (grades K4-K5),
Monarchs (grades 1-2), Hawks (grades 3-4),
Sturgeon (grades 5-7)
Registering for (circle one):
Full Year
Single Season: Fall Winter Spring
Riveredge member? Y / N (circle one)
Homeschool
Ed-ventures
What is Homeschool Ed-ventures?
Homeschool Ed-ventures is a science
education program designed for K4-12th grade
homeschooled students who enjoy hands-on
learning and outdoor adventure. Taught in
the “Riveredge style,” each class of 10-12
students engages in cooperative, inquiry-based
learning, guided by professionally trained
educators. Detailed curriculum information
and seasonal family events share the learning
experience with the child’s entire family.
Continued Learning & Relationship Building
As children grow up in our program,
they progress through play-based nature
explorations to scientific inquiry and indepth field studies. We offer five mixed-age
classes, each with unique curriculum designed
for their developmental level: Dragonflies
(grades 4K-5K, student must be able to use the
bathroom independently), Monarchs (grades
1-2), Hawks (grades 3-4), Sturgeon (grades
5-7), and Coyotes (grades 8-12). The mixedage classes offer opportunities for students to
take leadership roles, receive mentoring and
develop strong learning partnerships.
Outdoor Exploration and Sense of Place
The core content of our program takes place
outdoors; our students delight in exploring
the many habitats at Riveredge throughout the
seasons. The children also develop a strong
sense of their place in the natural world and a
sense of belonging at Riveredge.
2015-2016
Program Dates
Monday Class Dates 9am-12pm
Fall
Winter
September 21 January 11
October 5
January 25
October 19
February 8
November 2 February 22
November 16 March 7
Friday Class Dates
9am-12pm
Fall September 18
October 2
October 16
October 30
November 13
Spring
March 28
April 11
April 25
May 9
May 23
Winter
January 8
January 22
February 5
February 19
March 4
Homeschool Science
Education for
K4 - 12th Grade
at Riveredge Nature Center
Fall,Winter & Spring 2015-2016
Spring
March 25
April 8
April 22
May 6
May 20
Join us in our 379-acre outdoor classroom as we
explore and learn about the natural world, ask
questions, and make connections.
Riveredge Nature Center
4458 County Rd Y, Saukville, WI 53080
Mail: P.O. Box 26 Newburg, WI 53060-0026
262-375-2715 • www.riveredgenaturecenter.org
Grades K4-7th Class Format:
Each season includes five classes, which are
divided into two science units and a learning quest.
Each science unit is covered over two consecutive
classes to allow for in-depth study. The learning
quest will take place during the last class of each
season, followed by an optional family celebration.
All classes take place from 9am – 12pm on either
Monday or Friday.
Fall
Unit 1: Prairie Pioneers
September 18th/21st & October 2nd/5th
The prairie is a significant habitat at Riveredge with
many volunteer hours put into its restoration and
preservation. We’ll explore the prairie from the roots
up and find out who depends on it and the role it
played in human history.
Unit 2: The Enchanted Forest
October 16th/19th & October 30th/ November 2nd
Come explore the woods and find out the variety of
inhabitants and the vital roles they play in a forest
ecosystem. We’ll look at both plant and animal
communities, how they are interconnected and how
they change over time.
Quest: Riveredge Ruins: Clues of the Past
November 13th/16th
The land now called
Riveredge has a rich
history far back beyond
our 47 years. Learn how
past influences, both
natural and human, have
shaped this distinctive and
special place.
Winter
Unit 1: Weather Detectives
January 8th/11th & 22nd/25th
Snow, ice, and wind! Conduct experiments and make
observations to investigate the patterns of our wild
Wisconsin winter weather.
Unit 2: Underneath the Ice
February 5th/8th & 19th/22nd
What happens to all those frogs,
turtles and other pond life that
keep our attention all summer?
Find out that not everyone
‘sleeps’ away the winter, and
under the ice is a whole world
of winter wonder!
Quest: Wintry Tree Mysteries
March 4th/7th
Not just animals adapt to our cold Wisconsin winters.
Trees also have to change to survive the winter
weather and are an important resource for Riveredge
residents to survive the coldest months.
Spring
Unit 1: Habitat Healing
March 25th/28th & April 8th/11th
Celebrate Earth Day every day! Discover how
to care for wild habitats by surveying animal
populations, removing invasive plants, and more.
Unit 2: Ephemeral Spring
April 22nd/25th & May 6th/9th
Spring is a magical time
of change, from vernal
pools to wildflowers
and migrating birds.
Experience these
temporary worlds before
they disappear for the
year!
Quest: Bioblitz
May 20th/23rd
Biodiversity matters! Let’s unravel the secrets of
biodiversity at Riveredge, and discover how all living
things are connected in the web of life.
Grades 8th – 12th (Coyotes):
Theme: Land Management & Sustainability
Fall:
Sustainable Agriculture Methods
September 21st - November 16th
Students will examine various sustainable agricultural
practices including permaculture, organic farming,
and grass based farming. They will meet with a
variety of professionals in the field, tour Riveredge’s
Woodland Harvest, and visit an active grass based
farm. Throughout the session, students will enjoy
food that was grown or produced using sustainable
methods.
Winter:
Sustainable Communities and Cultures
January 11th - March 7th
What is a sustainable community? What makes a
culture sustainable and what happens when a culture
or community is no longer sustainable? These are the
questions that the students will be exploring. With the
tiny house movement, homesteading lifestyles, and
time banks becoming popular in the media, students
will study the realm of sustainable communities,
cultures, and lifestyle. Students will also create their
own model of sustainable living, whether it be a tiny
house, a green community, or a green building.
Spring:
Forestry & Land Management
March 28th - May 23rd
Students will gain a deeper understanding of what a
healthy forest looks like and how to determine overall
forest health. Activities will include conducting tree
diversity and health inventories of the Riveredge
forests, in addition to learning and using the tools
of the forestry trade. They will also meet with a
professional forester to lean about different forestry
management perspectives and how land managers
decide how to manage their properties.
Homeschool
Ed-ventures
Fee per child for the entire 2015-2016 school
year (includes 15 classes)
• Grades K4-7:
Members: $180, Non-members: $230
• Grades 8-12:
Members: $215, Non-members: $265
Fee per child per season (fall, winter, or
spring; includes 5 classes)
• Grades K4-7:
Members: $70, Non-members: $85
• Grades 8-12:
Members: $80, Non-members: $95
Registration Deadlines:
Please note that spaces fill quickly! If you do not register
for a full year we cannot guarantee you a space in the
winter and/or spring sessions.
Fall/full school year: Friday, August 28, 2015
Winter: Friday, December 11, 2015
Spring: Friday, March 11, 2016
Payment is due at the time of registration.
Make checks payable to Riveredge Nature
Center and include registration form.
Registrations are also accepted over
the phone. You will receive a program
confirmation in the mail; all other program
information will be sent via email.
Cancellation policy: Refunds will be issued
up to two weeks before the start date of that
season’s classes. All refunds are subject to a
$20 administrative fee.
Please return your registration form to
Riveredge Nature Center
P.O. Box 26, Newburg, WI 53060-0026
Ph: 262-375-2715
Open registration begins July 1, 2015