3rd Grade Overview

Three half-day visits guide students through a sequence of progressively complex experiences in the natural world.  During each visit, students rotate through three small-group activities led by our paid staff and adult volunteers.  Activities are multi-modal and integrate cognitive and affective learning.

 ·          HABITATS   “Home Sweet Home” (VIsit 1 - Fall) :

Busy explorers create tiny shelters in a woodland habitat, map a wetland community of plants and animals, and participate in a habitat restoration project.

Language Arts: 3.1, 3.3, 3.10
Science: 3.1(a, g, j), 3.4 (a, b), 3.5, 3.6 (a, c), 3.9 (c, d), 3.10 (a-d)

·          DIRT, SOIL and DECOMPOSERS   (Visit 2 - Fall or Spring) : Your choice of one of two programs:

 “The Good Earth” 

Young “soil scientists” analyze soil layers in a carefully dug hole, hunt for decomposers in the woods and in the compost pile, and participate in a soil conservation project.

Language Arts: 3.1, 3.3
Science: 3.1 (a, b, c, e, f, g), 3.5 (a, b), 3.7 (a-d), 3.8(b), 3.10(c, d)

 “Rotten Poetry”

Young poets unearth discoveries from compost piles then publish their sensory rich poems with a genuine hand-operated printing press. An exciting interdisciplinary program in  science and language arts that culminates in a class booklet for every child.  

Language Arts: 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11
Science: 3.1 (a, b), 3.5 (a, b), 3.6, 3.7 (a, d), 3.8(b), 3.10(a-d)

·          WATER   “Go With The Flow” (Visit 3 - Spring)

Students embark on an exciting water cycle adventure, monitor the aquatic life in our wetlands, and participate in a watershed protection project. 

Language Arts: 3.1 (a-c), 3.3, 3.4, 3.10
Science: 3.4(a, b), 3.5(c), 3.6(a, c), 3.9 (a, b, c, d), 3.10 (a-d) 

  4th Grade Overview

WATER JOURNEYS (fall or spring)  -- This program introduces students to watershed concepts through hands-on investigations and role plays in the following three activities

 Activity 1: “Water Detectives”

Following the watershed, young scientists measure temperature and nitrate levels at our springs and wetlands as part of broader discussion about watershed health and the Chesapeake Bay.

Language Arts:  4.1, 4.2, 4.3
Science 4.1(a, b, d, f, h), 4.5 (d, f), 4.8(a)

Activity 2: “From Dirty to Clean: A Waterdrop Adventure”

Students tour Boxerwood’s Nature-Emulating Waste Treatment System, with special attention to the constructed wetlands and plant roles in filtering and cleaning contaminated water.

    Language Arts:  4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.7
    Science 4.5 (f), 4.4 (a, c), 4.8(a)

Activity 3: “Save the Bay!”

4^th grade problem-solvers participate in a “Save the Bay” role play involving a 6-foot contour map of the Rockbridge County watershed.  Includes map work and Virginia geography.

Language Arts:  4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.7
Science 4.5 (f), 4.6 (b), 4.8 (a, b, d) 

PLANT POWER (spring) --Ever wondered how plants keep themselves alive and “save the world” while they’re at it? 
                               Here’s how!  There are three activities:

 Activity 1:  “Super Size Me”

Students visit our NEWT’s greenhouse to measure and investigate the over-sized plants living there.  What’s the connection between their giant size, the sunlight, and the wastewater they’re filtering?

Science 4.1 (a, b, c, e), 4.2 (a), 4.5 (a, c)

Activity 2:  “Come Hither”

Young botanists hunt for similar strategies and mechanics of reproduction among a wide variety of plants and trees happily growing in the Arboretum. Fall focus: dispersal strategies.  Spring focus: pollination.

Language Arts: 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.7.
Science: 4.2 (a, d, e), 4.5 (a, b, d)

Activity 3:  “Super Heroes!”

 Students identify six ways plants support healthy ecosystems then honor selected specimens for their heroic contributions.  Includes discussion of habitat and hands-on project in erosion control.

Language Arts: 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.7
      Science: 4.2 (a, b, c, d, e, f), 4.5 (a, c), 4.8 (a, b, d)

RIVER BUDDIES (fall or spring)

Bring learning experiences closer to home via an  “in-the-field” program near your school.  In this pilot program, Boxerwood comes to you, providing instruction, support, and equipment for an unforgettable experience beside a nearby creek or river.  Prerequisite:  participating class(es) must have completed a Water Journeys program at Boxerwood. Includes biological testing and science/language arts rotations tailored to your needs and interests.