Discovering Nature

Discovering Nature

Offerings: On-site, at your school, virtual

This program is an inquiry-based, hands-on approach to learning, providing students with opportunities to promote the growth of reasoning, creative thinking and inquiry skills. Children are encouraged to discover, create, question, predict and reflect. While learning in the Rouge Valley, students will explore the natural environment. Activities will be based upon the season, "teachable moments" and connecting students to nature.

Itinerary: Program is geared to seasonal changes, inquiry is the focus of the day, students have opportunities to explore the natural environment.  This trip may include visits to offsite locations that are within walking distance

Overall Expecations: Throughout our day of learning, students will engage in the four frames of learning.  Specific learning expectations may include: 
  • demonstrate an awareness of the natural and human-made environment through hands-on investigations, observation, questioning, and sharing of their findings; 
  • conduct simple investigations through free exploration, focused exploration, and guided activity, using inquiry skills (observing, questioning, planning an investigation, carrying out the investigation, and communicating findings); 
  • Demonstrate an understanding of and care for the natural world.


Chickadee hovering over child's head

Follow-Up Activities

Here are a few ideas that you can use as a followup to the program at Hillside.  We hope you find that they are fun filled learning activities.

Nature Walk

Scavenger Hunt

Environmental Art