Elementary School Programs
at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area
 
School groups learn about different habitats by hands-on exploration during the CRCA's conservation education programs.
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The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority
offers a wide range of quality curriculum based environmental education
programs to classroom teachers and their students.
Information about our 2011-2012 elementary school programs at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area in Kingston is provided below.
If you don't see what you are looking for check our other education pages. See our sidebar for links to other programs
Location
Programs take place at Little Cataraqui
Creek Conservation Area (2 km north of Hwy. 401, Division Street,
Kingston) for regular programs.
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Times
All regular programs are two hours in length and are available both mornings
and afternoons. Start and end times are flexible to adapt to bussing schedules.
We encourage full day visits where you and your class can take in two education
programs or journey on your own through the Conservation Area.
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Fees
- $7.00 per student attending for all regular half-day programs.
- $4.00 per student attending from the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic
District School Board or the Limestone District School Board. (These boards pay a $3.00 per student subsidy).
- A minimum fee of $100.00 applies to all groups.
- Please bring cash or a cheque made payable to the Cataraqui
Region Conservation Authority on the day of your visit.
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Booking Instructions
Our conservation education programs can be booked at any time by by e-mailing
the Education Department of the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority at educate@cataraquiregion.on.ca or by calling
at (613) 546-4228 ext. 251 or toll-free (613 area code) 1-877-956-CRCA (2722).
Please send a detailed message including your name, school, grade, class
size, proposed dates and choice of program. We will confirm by phone or e-mail. Note the dates of availability for each program.
We can accept two classes for most of our programs. We encourage schools to bring two classes to save on bussing costs and reduce greenhouse gases.
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Cancellation
A minimum of seven (7) working days notice is required for cancellation
to allow us time to contact groups from our waiting list. If the CRCA
is notified of the cancellation less than seven days in advance of the
scheduled visit, a cancellation fee of $50.00 will be charged.
Education staff will contact your school by 8:00 a.m. if we need to adapt the program in case of inclement weather or cancel due to severe weather. There will be no charge for a cancellation made due to severe weather conditions. Please dress in comfortable, weather appropriate
clothing.
If you have any questions please call our office at (613) 546-4228 ext.
251 or toll-free (613 area code) 1-877-956-CRCA (2722) ext. 251.
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Program Dates
Fall Programs - September 12 to December 9, 2011 (The last date
for Insects Alive; Leaves, Roots and Beyond; and Marsh
Mysteries is October 14, 2011)
Winter Programs - January 9 to February 24, 2012
Maple Madness - February 27 to March 30, 2012
Spring Programs- April 16 to June 15, 2012 (The first date
for Insects Alive; Leaves, Roots and Beyond; and Marsh
Mysteries is May 7, 2012)
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Links to the Curriculum
All of our education programs were developed to meet objectives in the Ontario
Curriculum Grades 1 - 8: Science and Technology, Ministry of Education and
Training. We also have programs which meet objectives in Mathematics,
Social Studies, History and Geography, and Health
and Physical Education.
Our programs accommodate various grade levels and are designed to be a springboard for action and understanding. Many of our programs are adaptable to different grade levels or to a different focus. The programs offered strive to be relevant to learners so that they can connect to the natural world through their head, heart and hands.
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Program Descriptions
Each program is designed for specified grade levels and curriculum requirements. See below for a summary.
All of our programs can accommodate split grades and two classes.
Programs are listed here in alphabetical order. If you have any questions,
please call us at (613) 546-4228 ext. 251.
Birds, Birds, Birds! (Grades
2, 4, and 6) Science and Technology
We'll provide a fun puppet-slide show for primary grades and a slide show
for junior-intermediate grades. With hands-on activities and the chance
to use binoculars and field guides, students will come away with an understanding
of the lives, adaptations, behaviours, and interesting features of birds.
They will also learn how to help protect our feathered friends.
Ecosystem Interactions (Grades
5 - 7) Science and Technology
Students will be introduced to the importance of ecosystems and defining such terms as biotic, abiotic, niche and the levels within food chains. Through exploration, they will identify examples of these within a marsh, field and forest ecosystem. By role-playing, they will experience an example of a food chain from an ecosystem. Students will leave with a better understanding of their connections to ecosystems and the positive impacts they can have as humans within them.
Featuring Fall (Grades
1 - 3) Science and Technology
Students will go on a fall adventure where they have the opportunity to
discover the fall changes taking place as animals and plants prepare for
winter. They will learn about all of the adaptations and changes through
a variety of sensory and hands-on activities as we hike through fields
and forests.
Home Sweet Home (Grade
4) Science and Technology New Additions!
Through role-playing either a plant or an animal, each student explores
marsh, field, and forest habitats in this program developed by the Institute
for Earth Education. Students are introduced to the basic needs of the
plant or animal they become, why they are important, and some interesting
facts about their adaptations. This habitat exploration wraps up with
an exciting dramatized twist where students apply information learned.
Insects Alive (Grades K,
1, 2, 4 and 6) Science and Technology
Grades K to 2 begin with an introductory puppet show. Through live capture and release, students identify and classify common insects and various adaptations, life cycles, and food chains. Students will have the opportunity to come to appreciate the valuable role insects play in the environment.
Instincts for Survival (Grades
4 - 8) Science and Technology
This physically active simulation game helps students to understand environmental
niches, animal adaptations, energy flow, and predator-prey relationships
by role-playing the life of a herbivore, omnivore or carnivore. This game
is completed with a discussion of how people and limiting factors, such
as disease, impact on natural ecosystems.
Kinderscience - Fall, Winter or Spring (Junior and Senior Kindergarten) Science and Technology
Students will be introduced to the concepts of living and non-living things,
life cycles, habitats, and the basic needs of plants and animals through
an interactive puppet show and hands-on exploration activities and games
that promote befriending nature in various natural habitats.
Kinder Treasure Hunt (Junior and Senior Kindergarten) Mathematics, Science and Technology New Program!
Puppets introduce the idea of a special treasure map where students use spatial awareness of their surroundings and their senses to go on a great treasure hunt. Students will discover nature treasures and leave with a greater understanding of and connections to the rhythms of the season that they are visiting in.
Leaves, Roots and Beyond (Grades 3, 4 and 6) Science and Technology
Students in grade 3 focus on soils and plants. Grade 4 students focus on habitats while grade 6 students focus on identification and classification. Through hands-on activities, exploration and a game, all students will come to understand the basic requirements of plants, physical characteristics and special adaptations of plants, soils and beyond.
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Maple Madness (Grades K - 3)
Social Studies, Science and Technology
The visit begins with an introduction to the sugar bush by our famous
puppet friends. Students ride back in time to the bush in tractor-drawn
wagons, where they are guided through an age appropriate discovery of
historic and modern methods of making maple syrup with interactive activities
to make the tour exciting. The trip is completed with a taste of liquid
gold!
Maple Math (Grades 5 -8) Mathematics,
Social Studies, History and Geography, Science and Technology
Our Maple Madness program with an added mathematics component. Students
become forest resource managers, learning about the history of the sugar
bush and basic forest resource management by collecting basic data to
determine diameter, height, number of taps, sap yield, and maple syrup
production.
Mapping it Out (Grades 1 -
3) Social Studies, Health and Physical Education New Additions!
Students will learn all about map reading through an indoor map building
activity, and two outdoor map reading activities. Each activity allows
students to use their new skills to discover some of the Conservation
Area’s secrets.
Map and Compass (Grades 3
- 8) Social Studies, Geography, Health and Physical Education New Additions!
Junior and Intermediate students learn the basic parts of a compass and
how to find north and to orient their map. The students are put to the
age-appropriate challenge of using their map and compass to find their
way on the trails.
Marsh Mysteries (Grades K - 3) Science and Technology
Puppets introduce students to the members of the wetland community and
the basic roles they play. As gentle giants, students are introduced to
aquatic food chains and the wide range of wetland plants and animals through
a visit to the pond and a hands-on pond-dipping excursion.
Nature in Winter (Grades 1 -
3) Science and Technology
Students go on a winter hike where they explore the winter world using
their senses and imaginations. Students will also learn about animal adaptations
and activities by looking for signs of tracks, scat and nibbled twigs
which all tell the stories of how plants and animals survive the winter.
Secrets of Spring (Grades
1 - 3) Science and Technology
Students go on a spring hike where they explore reawakenings of both plants
and animals such as wildflowers and frogs, and the return of birds. They
will learn about all of the adaptations and changes through a variety
of sensory and hands-on activities as we hike through fields and forests.
Snowshoe Excursion (Grades
3 -8) Health and Physical Education
Your class will enjoy a snowshoe lesson and tour over marshes and through fields and forests. Learn about snowshoeing techniques, the history of snowshoeing and look for signs of winter plants and animals. Snowshoe rental fee is $6.00 per person in addition to the regular program fee. (Limited to one class per visit due to equipment.
A rental fee is charged to teachers and parent volunteers.)
Ski Lessons (Grades 3 - 8) Health
and Physical Education
Bring your class out for cross-country ski lessons! The ski rental cost
is $9.00 per student in addition to the regular program fee. (Limited
to one class per visit due to equipmen availability. A rental fee is charged to teachers
and parent volunteers.)
Water Cycle Journey (Grade
2) Science and Technology
The program begins with an introduction to the main components of the water cycle:
the sun, clouds, wind, and rain. Disguised as water droplets, your class
will go on a water cycle hike through field and forest. Through a game,
drama, weather stories, and exploration, your students will come to understand
the importance of the water cycle and the seasonal effects of weather
on plants and animals.
Wet and Wild (Grades 7 and 8) Science
and Technology
Students will become familiar with the use and importance of water within
the watershed they live in. Through water activities, a game, and outdoor
exploration, students will leave with a greater awareness of human impacts
on water.
Wild About Mammals! (Grades
3 - 5) Science and Technology
Come out and learn all about the mammals found in Ontario and right here
at Little Cataraqui Creek! Primary and junior students, in age appropriate
programs will discover the characteristics, classification, food chains,
adaptations, and needs of mammals through games, exploration, and hands-on
activities. All grades will leave with a greater awareness of human impacts
and our role as mammals to take care of all living things.
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What's Offered Each Season
Fall (September 12 to December 9, 2011)
Birds, Birds, Birds!
Ecosystem Interactions
Featuring Fall
Home Sweet Home
Insects Alive
Instincts for Survival
Kinderscience - Fall
Kinder Treasure Hunt
Leaves, Roots and Beyond
Map and Compass
Mapping it Out
Marsh Mysteries
Water Cycle Journey
Wet and Wild
Wild About Mammals!
Winter (January 9 to February 24, 2012)
Birds, Birds, Birds!
Ecosystem Interactions
Home Sweet Home
Instincts for Survival
Kinderscience - Winter
Kinder Treasure Hunt
Map and Compass
Mapping it Out
Nature in Winter
Snowshoe Excursion
Ski Lessons
Water Cycle Journey
Wet and Wild
Wild About Mammals!
Maple Madness (February 27 to March 30, 2012)
Maple Madness
Maple Math
Spring (April 16 to June 15, 2012)
Birds, Birds, Birds!
Ecosystem Interactions
Home Sweet Home
Insects Alive
Instincts for Survival
Kinderscience - Spring
Kinder Treasure Hunt
Leaves, Roots and Beyond
Map and Compass
Mapping it Out
Marsh Mysteries
Secrets of Spring
Water Cycle Journey
Wet and Wild
Wild About Mammals!
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Programs at a Glance by Grade Level
All of our programs are connected to the curriculum. Programs listed more than once meet grade specific curriculum guidelines.
We are able to combine programs and accommodate split grades.
Details of each program are listed in alphabetical order in the Program Descriptions section of this page.
We can accommodate two classes per program, except for skiing and snowshoeing.
Most programs can be shortened or adapted to an indoor program in the case of inclement weather.
Kindergarten (JK & SK)
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Insects Alive (fall and spring)
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Kinderscience (all seasons)
- Kinder Treasure Hunt (all seasons)
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Maple Madness (February and March)
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Marsh Mysteries (fall and spring)
Grades 1, 2 and 3
- Birds, Birds, Birds (Grade 2) (all seasons)
- Featuring Fall (Grades 1 to 3) (fall)
- Insects Alive (Grades 1 and 2) (fall and spring)
- Leaves, Roots and Beyond (Grade 3) (all seasons)
- Maple Madness (Grades 1 to 3) (February and March)
- Mapping it Out (Grades 1 to 3) (all seasons)
- Map and Compass (Grade 3) (all seasons)
- Marsh Mysteries (Grades 1 to 3) (fall and spring)
- Nature in Winter (Grades 1 to 3) (winter)
- Secrets of Spring (Grades 1 to 3) (spring)
- Snowshoe Excursion (Grade 3) (winter)
- Water Cycle Journey (Grade 2) (all seasons)
- Wild About Mammals (Grade 2) (all seasons)
Grades 4, 5 and 6
- Birds, Birds, Birds (Grades 4 and 6) (all seasons)
- Ecosystem Interactions (Grades 5 and 6) (all seasons)
- Home Sweet Home (Grade 4) (all seasons)
- Insects Alive (Grades 4 and 6) (fall and spring)
- Instincts for Survival (Grades 4 to 6) (all seasons)
- Leaves, Roots and Beyond (Grades 4 and 6) (spring and fall)
- Maple Math (Grades 5 and 6) (February and Marchl)
- Map and Compass (Grades 4 to 6) (all seasons)
- Snowshoe Excursion (Grades 4 to 6) (winter - restricted to 1 class)
- Ski Lessons (Grade 4 to 6) (winter - restricted to 1 class)
- Wild About Mammals (Grades 4 to 6) (all seasons)
Grades 7 and 8
- Ecosystem Interactions (Grade 7) (all seasons)
- Instincts for Survival (Grades 7 and 8) (all seasons)
- Maple Math (Grades 7 and 8) (February and March)
- Map and Compass (Grades 7 and 8) (all seasons)
- Snowshoe Excursion (Grades 7 and 8) (winter - restricted to 1 class)
- Ski Lessons (Grades 7 and 8) (winter - restricted to 1 class)
- Wet and Wild (Grades 7 and 8) (all seasons - restricted to 1 class)
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Make a Day of It
Combine your program with other great activities for a terrific day in the
outdoors. Or do your own education program. Our education staff would be
pleased to provide you with program ideas. Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation
Area has a variety of habitats including wetland, field and forest.
There are also great recreation facilities including picnic areas and
a 14 km trail system which is groomed for cross-country skiing during
the winter. There are two warming huts, a bonfire pit and privies located
beside the reservoir. The entrance fee for groups to use our facilities
is $3.00 per person.
There is an additional charge for equipment rentals.
You must make a group booking to use our facilities by calling (613) 546-4228
ext. 222. To book an education program, please call (613) 546-4228 ext. 251.
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Acknowledgments
The CRCA would like to thank the Cataraqui Conservation Foundation for
their generous contributions to the cost of operating our education programs.
Please consider becoming a Foundation
member or making a donation to the Partners in Outdoor
Education fund. For more information call (613) 546-4228 ext.
221.
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