Merry Lea Homeschool Series 2008-09
For Home School Students grade 1-12
Thursday, 9/18/08 Nature's Recyclers (Learning Center)
Students become detectives to search for as many of nature’s recyclers
as they can find. In the process, they learn that there is nothing in the
natural world that is not eventually recycled – broken down to its basic
parts to be used again by some other part of the natural system. Students
discover how this happens & why it is important to the environment.
Thursday, 10/23/08 Rock Cycle (Glacial
Retreat Center)
Dig into northeastern Indiana’s rich geological history! Students start
inside for a slide introduction explaining glaciers & their impact on
this area. The rest of the program time is then spent outside experiencing
the results of glacial activity firsthand. Students hike down an esker, moving
through layers of top soil & glacial till until they finally reach a peat
bog at the bottom. Students also explore & identify rocks in an abandoned
gravel pit discovering the variety of treasures left behind by receding glaciers.
Thursday, 11/13/08 Feathered Frenzy
(Learning Center)
Answer questions about birds, their seasonal adaptations & behaviors.
Students will inspect mounts, examine feathers, explore flight & make
nests. Outdoors students will learn correct use of binoculars & use them
to observe & identify birds in a variety of habitats.
Thursday, 2/12/09 Winter
Nature (Learning Center)
Enjoy the wonders of winter! Students explore how people, plants & animals
cope with winter. Outdoors they search for signs of life in the wintry woods & meadows.
Some indoor activities are also included to allow time for warming up.
Thursday, 4/23/09 Land
Ethic (Start at Learning Center / End at Farmstead)
During an extended hike, students will
increase their awareness of the land & explore ways they can become better
stewards of that land. Students will discover how land is a community that
yields a cultural harvest. They will also explore the meaning of "land
ethic". This program is based on the writings & ideas of Aldo Leopold,
known as the father of wildlife management. Leopold was a conservationist,
forester, teacher, writer, philosopher & outdoor enthusiast. His best-known
book is The Sand County Almanac.
Thursday, 5/28/09 Bog
to Swamp to Marsh (Luckey's Landing)
Wetlands are a vital part of Indiana and we don't know a whole lot
about them. Hiking from wetland to wetland we will compare and contrast different
types of wetlands, we will identify various soil types and we will get into
a wet area to explore it first hand! Bring a complete change of clothes!!