Guide to Cal-Wood's Educational Offerings
Cal-Wood's staff collaborates with teachers to plan an educational program best complementing their unique goals and needs. Teachers customize their Cal-Wood experience, selecting from the topics, activities, and/or Colorado Model Content Standards listed below. We then creatively develop experiential and inquiry-based lessons using site-specific features of the natural landscape. Typically, we can cover two to three teacher choices in a full day, one to two in a half day. Incorporated to some extent into all programs are certain topics outlined at the end of this list. Of course we are happy to teach a topic or activity not on this list, given some advance notice.
 |
 |
 |
Topics, Activities, Standards to Request
GENERAL SCIENCE
Activities:
- experiments demonstrating the Scientific Method
- simple environmental research projects with or without data collection
- use of scientific tools: weather instruments, microscopes, test kits, dichotomous keys
LIFE SCIENCE (Ecology, Wildlife, Forestry & Botany
are sub-topics)
Activities:
- field observation, identification and discussion of living things: trees, shrubs, wildflowers, birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, amphibians etc.
- pond/stream life collection and lab using dissecting microscopes
- experiential ecology lessons for basic concepts- -energy flows (photosynthesis), interconnection of living things, adaptations, nutrient cycles, habitats, diversity
- tree measuring of height/diameter, coring to find age
- plant/wildflower labs with microscopes
Colorado Model Content Standards: Science 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4; Geography 3.2
EARTH SCIENCE (Chemistry, Water, Geology & Meteorology are sub-topics)
Activities:
- experiential geology lessons for basic concepts: geologic time-lines, rock cycle, plate tectonics, mountain-building, landscape features, erosion
- rock and mineral identification using rock hammers, microscopes and/or hand lenses
- soil sample collection and analysis
- Mica Mine exploration (about a four mile round-trip hike of moderate difficulty)
- mountain weather analysis, identification of cloud types
- water quality testing for biological, physical or chemical factors
- watershed and/or groundwater flow measurement and mapping
Colorado Model Content Standards: Science 2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4; Geography 3.1
HUMAN HISTORY
Activities:
- Homestead Cabin (circa 1880's) hands-on activities
- local Native American culture and history--experiential lessons, tipi program
- local mining/pioneering history
Colorado Model Content Standards: History 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 4, 4.1; Geography 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4
MATHEMATICS
Activities:
- data collection, graphing of environmental research projects
- calculation of: tree height, diameter, volume, age, growth rate, etc., using forestry tools
- estimations of wildlife population/densities
- compass course using bearings and pacing
Colorado Model Content Standards: Mathematics 1, 3, 5, 6; Science 1, 6
VISUAL ARTS
Activities:
- watercolors, sketches, native materials art/sculpture, leaf prints
- wildlife track-making
Colorado Model Content Standards: Visual Arts 1, 2, 3, 4
GEOGRAPHY
Activities:
- topographic maps--construction and use
- map-reading and orienteering skills
- compass course
- human environment interactions
Colorado Model Content Standards: Geography 1.1, 1.2, 5, 6; Mathematics 1, 2, 4
LANGUAGE ARTS (Cal-Wood supplies field journal for students)
Activities:
- creative/reflective writing, poetry
- suggested readings
Colorado Model Content Standards: Reading & Writing 1, 2, 4, 6
WINTER PROGRAMS
Most of above topics are available in our winter season
- Special activities include snow science studies, winter ecology, skiing, and snow-shoeing (conditions permitting) and students can even make their own snowshoes.
OTHER ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE
Activities: (dependent on conditions, time of year, group size, etc.)
- shelter making, outdoor cooking, fire building, first-aid
- camping and backpacking on-site
- trout fishing
- trail and service work projects
Colorado Model Content Standards: Physical Education 1, 2, 3
Topics, Activities, Built into All Programs
We can make these topics a more or less significant component of the program.
TEAM BUILDING -- employing a wide range of group initiatives/challenges
- activities that promote trust, confidence, problem solving, communication etc.
HIKES -- all lengths and ability levels, modified to suit specific needs
NATURE AWARENESS ACTIVITIES -- used more at the beginning of a program
- activities for sensory awareness, observation skills, sense of place themes
- the basics of the Cal-Wood ecosystem
JOURNAL WRITING -- used to reinforce concepts learned, Cal-Wood supplies the journals
CONSERVATION THEMES -- incorporated towards the end of a program, especially with longer visits
- natural resources management issues, environmental concerns, stewardship concepts
- conservation/stewardship projects
EVENING PRESENTATIONS -- one every night
- campfires, storytelling, wildlife presentations, skits, night-hikes, astronomy, town hall meetings