Elementary School Program Offerings
The High Park Nature Centre offers a wide range of high quality curriculum-based outdoor environmental education and stewardship education programs to classroom teachers and their students.
French Programming for French Immersion Classes
High Park through the Seasons Book a package and save!
Autumn Adventures - September to December 2007
Hibernate in High Park - January to March 2008
Restore and Explore - April to June 2008
Programs take place at the High Park Nature Centre, located on the eastern perimeter of the park at Parkside Drive and Indian Valley Crescent for most programs. High Park Zoo Tour programs take place at the Zoo, and groups receive special instructions about where to meet.
All school programs are two hours in length and are available both mornings and afternoons. Morning sessions run from 9:30 – 11:30am and afternoon programs run from 12:30 – 2:30pm – we can be somewhat flexible with start and end times to accommodate bus schedules. We encourage full day visits where you and your class can take in two education programs or visit one of our partner sites, Colborne Lodge or the High Park Children’s Garden.
$5.00 per student attending for all half-day programs.
$9.00 per student attending for all full-day programs.
A minimum fee of $50.00 applies to all groups for half-day programs. A minimum charge of $90.00 applies to all groups for full-day programs.
If booking a “High Park through the Seasons” package, a $12.00 fee per student attending applies.
Please bring cash or a cheque made payable to “High Park Initiatives” on the day of your visit.
Educational programs can be booked at any time by calling the High Park Nature Centre at (416) 392-1748 ext. 6 or by e-mailing at naturecentre@highpark.org.
Please leave a detailed message including your name, school, contact phone number, grade, class size, proposed dates and choice of program. We will confirm by phone and then also by writing. Please note the dates of availability for each program, both by season and by date.
Please be advised that seven days notice is necessary for cancellations and two days notice to reschedule. An invoice for 50% of the originally booked group fee will be issued for any late cancellation or rescheduling.
Programs will proceed rain or shine. Please remind all participants to dress appropriately for the weather as we will be outdoors for most of the activities. Programs may need to be rescheduled in the case of severe inclement weather such as heavy rain, thunderstorms, snowstorms or high winds over 35 km per hour. We also advise wearing long pants, socks and long sleeved tops to protect against poison ivy. If you have any questions please call our office at 416-392-1748 ext. 6.
Links to the Ontario 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.
French Programming for French Immersion Classes
Several of the Nature Centre’s most popular programs have been translated into French by our bilingual nature interpreters! Please see program descriptions below marked “offered in French”. Should you have any questions regarding our French programming, please contact naturecentre@highpark.org.
High Park through the Seasons - Kindergarten – Grade 7
Book a package and save! Choose one program of your choice from each of our fall, winter and spring options, and experience the beauty of High Park throughout the seasons – from autumn leaves to crisp snow to spring blossoms.
Students will gain an in-depth understanding about the unique ecology of the park and the importance of protecting and restoring it.
FALL PROGRAM OPTIONS: Savannah Stewards, Hawkwatch, Down in the Dirt, Nuts about Seeds, Changing of the Leaves, Fall into Winter
WINTER PROGRAM OPTIONS: Wonderful Woodpeckers & Charming Chickadees, Winter Trees & Plants, Tracks & Tales or Bugs on Ice.
SPRING PROGRAM OPTIONS: Migration Celebration, Prescribed Burn Tour, Spring Planting, Orienteering
High Park through the Seasons Fee: $12.00 per student
(Fee covers the cost of all three programs and represents a savings of $3 per student)
AUTUMN ADVENTURES – FALL 2007 SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Kindergarten – Grade 7
Savannah Stewards
September 17 – October 5, 2007.
Did you know that High Park is home to one of North America's most endangered ecosystems? Students will learn about the web of life in the park's black oak savannah and the importance of environmental stewardship while planting native wildflowers and grasses to help restore this unique habitat.
Grade 4 - 7
Hawk Watch
September 17 – October 5, 2007.
Visit High Park's "Hawk Hill" and witness the annual migration of hawks, eagles and vultures as they fly south for the winter. Discover how to identify birds by their silhouettes with the help of the Greater Toronto Raptor Watch.
Grade 3,4,6,7
Down in the Dirt ***Offered in French***
September 17–October15, 2007.
Explore the world beneath your feet! Discover the "recipe" for soil and learn about the vital role that decomposers play in the food chain. Students will collect and compare soil samples to investigate the properties of soil.
Kindergarten – Grade 4
High Park Zoo Tour
September 17 – December 14, 2007.
Go on a behind-the-scenes tour of the High Park Zoo with the Zookeepers! Students will visit the Bird House and other animal enclosures, hand-feed bison and llamas and learn fascinating facts about Zoo animals.
**Zoo tours are only offered on Thursday mornings.
Grade 4 - 7
Orienteering ***Offered in French***
September 17 – December 14, 2007.
Learn how to find your way through High Park using a map and compass to orient yourself! Students will practice their skills following an orienteering course that highlights the diversity of trees in the park’s woodland habitats. We have designed a new course and set of challenges for the 2007/2008 school year!
Kindergarten – Grade 7
Nuts about Seeds ***Offered in French***
October 9 – November 9, 2007.
Search for native plant seeds and experience the rich diversity of a nationally rare black oak savannah habitat! Learn about seed dispersal, collect acorns, make and toss seed balls and discover how plants and animals prepare for the winter.
Kindergarten – Grade 6
Changing of the Leaves
October 15 – November 2, 2007.
Enjoy beautiful fall colours right in the heart of our big city! Students will learn how to identify trees by their leaves and discover why leaves change colour in the fall through science and folklore.
Kindergarten – Grade 7
Fall into Winter ***Offered in French***
November 12 – December 14, 2007.
As the temperature drops and days become shorter, the plants and animals of High Park prepare for winter in many fascinating ways! Participants will learn who migrates, who hibernates and who has amazing adaptations that allow them to stay put and survive the winter.
HIBERNATE IN HIGH PARK – WINTER 2008 SCHOOL PROGRAMS
KG, GRADE 1
WARM UP TO WINTER
January 7 – March 21, 2008.
Nothing beats the
chill of winter better than a nature hike in
KG, Grade 1, 2, 4, 6, 7
TRACKS & TALES ***Offered in French***
January 7 – March 21, 2008.
Read tales in the snow by learning how to identify and interpret animal tracks! Students will find out how animals have adapted to survive the winter, learn about animal characteristics through folklore and encounter tracks made by creatures while hiking in the park.
Grade 1, 3, 4, 7
GREEN GIANTS & SLEEPING SKELETONS
January 7 – March 21, 2008.
Discover the
trees of
KG, Grade 1
CHARMING CHICKADEES ***Offered in French***
January 7 – March 21, 2008.
Chick-a-dee-dee-dee! Students will learn about a day in the life of a chickadee, hand-feed chickadees and help these cheerful little birds survive the winter by creating pine cone bird feeders to hang in the park.
Grade 2, 3, 4, 6
FLOCKS AND HAWKS ***Offered in French***
January 7 – March 21, 2008.
Follow a flock of
chickadees, nuthatches, cardinals and woodpeckers and search the sky for soaring
hawks. Students will learn about bird adaptations for winter survival, their
winter diets and unique characteristics. Participants will hand-feed chickadees
and create pine cone bird feeders to hang in the park.
Grade 2, 4, 6
SCREECH AND HOOT!
January 7 – March 30, 2008.
Learn about
Grade 2, 4, 6
BUGS ON ICE
January 7 – March 21, 2008.
Ever wonder where bugs go when it gets cold? Participants will go on a sub-zero bug hunt and learn how insects and other cold-blooded animals manage to survive our Canadian winters.
Grade 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
SNOWSHOEING ***Offered in French***
January 7 – March 21, 2008.
Explore the
winter wonders of
Grade 4-7
ORIENTEERING ***Offered in French***
January 7 – March 30, 2008.
Learn how to find
your way through
RESTORE AND EXPLORE – SPRING 2008 SCHOOL PROGRAMS
NEW For 2008!
Grade 3,4,6,7
GARLIC MUSTARD BUSTERS
April 21 – May 16, 2008.
Students will
learn to identify and control the invasive species that threaten the health of
High
Park's woodland
and savannah habitats. Participants will get their hands dirty pulling garlic
mustard plants.
NEW For 2008!
Grade 3,4,6,7
PLANTWATCH
April 21 – May 16, 2008.
Become a "citizen scientist" and discover how
climate change is affecting flowering times for early spring plants. Learn how
to identify and monitor common plants and then submit your data to PlantWatch
Grade 1-7
MIGRATION CELEBRATION! ***Offered in French***
May 5 – 16, 2008.
Discover the
incredible feats of migration as birds return from their wintering grounds to
nest in Canadian forests. Discover why
NEW For 2008!
Grade 3,4,6,7
DOWN IN THE DIRT***Offered in French***
May 5 – June 20,
2008.
Explore the world
beneath your feet! Discover the "recipe" for soil and learn about the vital role
that decomposers play in the food chain. Students will collect and compare soil
samples to investigate the properties of soil.
KG–Grade 4
April 21 – June 20, 2007.
Go on a behind-the-scenes tour of the High Park Zoo and meet the Zookeepers who
take care of the animals! Students will visit the Bird House and other animal enclosures,
hand-feed bison
and
***Zoo tours are only offered on Thursday mornings.
Grade 4-7
ORIENTEERING PROGRAM ***Offered in French***
April 21- June 20, 2007.
Learn how to find
your way through
KG – Grade 7
SPRING PLANTING PROGRAM
May 19 – June 20,
2008.
Study and
experience the richness of a rare natural prairie habitat right in the heart of
the city! Students will gain first-hand experience in protecting habitats by
planting native plants in the park’s rare black oak savannah ecosystem.
NOTE:
Please select one of the grade-specific themes below as the focus for your
planting program. All program themes include a planting activity.
Sensing the
Go on a hands-on, sensory nature hike through the park's woodlands and black oak savannah.
Flutter-by Butterfly! - KG, Gr. 1, 2, 4 ***Offered in French***
Explore the life
of a butterfly and learn about native wildflowers that attract and feed
butterflies in
Wildflower Wonders - Grade 3
Learn about
wildflowers and edible plants in
Bugology - Grade 2, 4 & 6
Students will catch, observe and identify various invertebrates in the savannah.
NEW For 2008!
Special Species - Grade 4, 5, 6 & 7
Catch a glimpse
of what makes
NEW For 2008!
Students will
learn about environmental stewardship by helping to restore the black oak
savannah.
Consider booking a full day of programming by selecting 2 half-day programs at the Nature Centre. Another option is to book a half day at the Nature Centre and a half-day program at one of our partner sites in the park, Colborne Lodge or the High Park Children’s Garden and receive a $0.50 discount per student at each site. Please inquire at the time of your initial booking.
The High Park Nature Centre would like to thank our programming partners, the Greater Toronto Raptor Watch, the City of Toronto’s Urban Forestry Department and the High Park Zoo staff, for their on-going support and outstanding instructors.
We would also like to thank High Park Initiatives for their fundraising efforts to help cover the cost of operating our education programs. Please consider becoming a member of High Park Initiatives or making a donation to the Nature Centre program. For more information call 416-392-1748 ext. 6.