Elk Island National Park of Canada
Elementary School Programs
POND 1 - The Underwater Adventure of Mr. Drizzle and his class
Grades K to 3
Enjoy the slide show adventure with Mr. Drizzle and his students, followed by dip-netting on the Living Waters Boardwalk. Investigate and observe living things in outdoor spaces. Identify requirements to maintain life and learn adaptations needed for survival. Recognize the importance of habitat preservation and the protection of living things. Equipment provided.
Alberta Curriculum connections:
- GRADE 1 - SCIENCE - Topic E - Needs of Plants and Animals
- GRADE 2 - SCIENCE - Topic E - Small Crawling and Flying Animals
- GRADE 3 - SCIENCE - Topic E - Animal Life Cycles
Outdoor Program. Can be adapted for indoors in inclement weather.POND 2 - Submarine Adventure
Grade 5
An introduction to pond ecology; begins with a Submarine Adventure slide show, followed by dip-netting on the Living Waters Boardwalk. Observe and identify plants and animals in and around the marsh. Understand that all creatures large and small have an essential role in maintaining a healthy wetland ecosystem. Learn about life cycles and adaptations necessary for life in a wetland. Equipment provided.
Alberta Curriculum connections:
- GRADE 5 - SCIENCE - Topic E - Wetland Ecosystems
Outdoor Program. Can be adapted for indoors in inclement weather.BOG
Grade 5
Learn about wetland ecosystems and the stages of their formation. Experience hands-on exploration of the unique features of bogs. Identify and observe specific adaptations of plant life necessary for survival in the bog.
Alberta Curriculum connections:
- GRADE 5 - SCIENCE - Topic E - Wetland Ecosystems
Outdoor program.TREES AND FORESTS
Grade 6
Explore and compare deciduous and coniferous trees in our forest ecosystem. Identify characteristics that distinguish trees from other plants. Decipher the life history of a tree, and discover how animals and other organisms use trees for food and/or as habitat. Learn about the role trees play in nutrient cycles and in the production of oxygen.
Alberta Curriculum connections:
- GRADE 6 - SCIENCE - Topic E - Trees and Forests.
Outdoor Program.BISON HUNT
*Enrichment activity for grades K-4
Step back in time, when more than 60 million bison roamed the plains. Experience the relationship between first nations people and the bison. Simulate a bison hunt and learn about the many uses of bison horns, hides, bones, etc. through hands-on activities. Students will also gain an understanding of the role of parks in protecting threatened species.
Outdoor Program.
EVIDENCE AND INVESTIGATION - Solve the Elk Island National Park Mystery
Grade 6
You are the nature investigators coming to help solve the mystery at Elk Island National Park. Explore the outdoor environment and observe evidence such as tracks, hair, scat, and disturbances left behind. Through workstations, apply observation and inference skills with forensic materials provided.
Alberta Curriculum connections:
- GRADE 6 - SCIENCE - Topic D - Evidence and Investigation
Outdoor Program or In-class Program.BEAVER 1 - The Beaver Family
Grades K to 3
Take a guided walk to discover signs of beaver work: felled trees, lodges and dams. The focus is on the beaver family. Discover how the family meets it's basic needs ( food, water, shelter and space ) and some of the special adaptations that beavers have to live in the pond. Experience hands-on interaction with props such as beaver pelt, skull, teeth, etc.
Alberta Curriculum connections:
- GRADE 1 - SCIENCE - Topic B - Seasonal Changes - Topic E - Needs of Animals and Plants
- GRADE 2 - SCIENCE -Topic E - Small Crawling and Flying Animals
- GRADE 3 - SCIENCE - Topic E - Animal Life Cycles
Outdoor Program.