Quick Links:

Homeschool homework

Science Fun Fair

Thursday/Friday's Group

Wood Lake Nature Center has a great program for parents working with homeschools. Our program is currently on a five-year rotation with a specific class offered each month from September to May. For information about pricing and registration, look at the Classes and Registration section below. To find out more about each year’s course offerings, look at the Class Schedule section, also below. For any additional questions, please contact us at 612-861-9365.

Classes and Registration

Homeschool parents have two options:

• register a family for Wood Lake's Thursday or Friday Homeschool Group, typically held the third Thursday and Friday of every month

• sign up a Co-op or other group for classes on whatever day/time works best for the group's schedule and ours

Registration for both individuals and groups
All homeschool groups and individuals are eligible for fall registration in the beginning of September (typically the second Monday in September).  Call the nature center at 612-861-9365 to inquire about specific registration dates or for specific class prices.

Registration specifics for groups
The cost is $4 per student ($40 minimum per visit), plus any material fees (listed by each class in the Class Schedule section). Groups signing up for more than three classes in a school year need to prepay for the entire year, for the maximum amount of kids they would like to have in their classes. (So a group that will have a maximum of 12 students should pay 12 x $4 x 9 classes = $432 + any material fees.) Groups smaller than 10 who are willing to split the minimum payment between students are welcome to come despite small class size, as long as they pay the minimum $40.00. 

Class limit is 15 students, though we recommend keeping class sizes to 12 students. If a group has more than 15 students and enough naturalists are available, the group should either schedule two completely separate groups each month, or be prepared to do a large-group introduction and split the class into two groups for the activity. (Some classes can be done as two small-group introductions, but not all.) If a group signs up for a class with, for example, 20 students but only 15 show up, the group will be in a single class with one naturalist.

Students are considered to be anyone who participates or attempts to participate in the class, regardless of age. Any siblings who are not students need to either stay quietly in the back of the room or be brought to a separate area so they’re not a distraction to the class.  Classes are typically geared for ages 6-12, though both younger and older students are accepted for programs.  If a group of older students would like to attend Wood Lake homeschool classes, accommodations can be made to create a more advanced class.

Homeschool groups who do not wish to sign up for all 9 classes or do not wish to prepay may sign up for fall/winter classes (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec) on the fall registration date in September, and winter/spring classes (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May) on the winter registration date. Our schedule fill up quickly, and we do not guarantee we can fit in groups for all their classes if they don’t prepay.

For each class, homeschool groups should show up at the nature center dressed and prepared to be outside for the majority of the 1½ to 2 hour class.  (Class length is chosen at time of registration.  There is no price difference.)  A naturalist will lead the group through the activity and parents are expected to stay as well as assist the group when necessary.  Optional take-home assignments may be offered at the end of class to serve as a review before the next class.

Wood Lake Nature Center strives to provide fun and educational joint-learning experiences for both teachers and students. Being the children’s primary educator, we expect parents to participate and assist with each class. If non-students need to be watched in a separate area, please arrange for at least 1 parent for every 4 students to be available to assist with the class in its entirety.

Class schedule:

	2009-2010 Year 1	2010-2011 Year 2	2006-2007 Year 3	2007-2008 Year 4	2008-2009 Year 5
Sept.	Dead or Alive (waste & resource)	Seeds & Weeds (plant biology)	Insect Study (entomology)	Bats (adaptations/behavior)	Butterflies (metamorphosis)
Oct.	Apple Cidering (plant life cycles)	Wild Edibles (conservation / biology)	Predator/Prey (adaptations)	Mammals (adaptation/physiology)	Natural Dyes (botany/chemistry)
Nov	Migration/Hibernation (adaptations/behavior)	Animal Camouflage (adaptations)	Food Web (interdependency)	Animal Communication (adaptations/behavior)	Native American Life (anthropology)
Dec	Animal Adaptations (adaptations/behavior)	Animal Homes (behavior)	Nocturnal Adaptations	Mouse Rugs Alt: Animal Bones (anatomy/taxidermy)	Astronomy
Jan	Muskrat Safari (population cycles/ adaptations)	Keeping Warm (physiology/ adaptations)	Snowshoeing/ Winter Games (physics/exploration)	Nature Close-up (magnifiers and microscopes)	Animal Tracks (identification/ populations)
Feb	Endangered Species (conservation/values)	Survival Shelters (human physiology)	Hot Air Balloons (physics)	Cross-Country Skiing (physics/exploration) Alt: Scavenger Hunt	Snowshoeing/ Skiing (physics/exploration)
Mar	Maple Syruping (anthropology/botany)	Recycling/ Papermaking (resource conservation)	Weather (meteorology)	Decomposition / Composting	Nature of Physics (physics/ adaptations)
Apr	Water Experiments (hydrologic cycle)	Trees & Leaves (plant physiology)	Flight (physics)	Soil, Rocks, & Minerals (soil science/geology)	Herpetology (adaptations)
May	Marsh Explorers (aquatic ecology)	Worm Cookies (decomposers)	Birds (adaptations/behavior)	Resource Management (soil stewardship & invasive plants)	Fossils (paleontology)

 

Course Descriptions
Note: classes are being updated and may differ from the descriptions below.  For a more detailed description of current classes, or with other any questions regarding homeschool classes, please contact the Homeschool Curriculum Coordinator.

Year 1

September: Dead or Alive
Observe characteristics of living, dead, and inanimate (never alive) things and learn the difference between the three. Sort objects into the three categories and go on a hike to identify how all three things fit into nature’s cycle of life.

October: Apple Cidering
Using an old-fashioned cider press, make apple cider and learn about the natural and cultural history of apples. Enjoy a fall hike, time allowing.  Class supply fee: $5 for 1-15 students, $10 for 16-30 students.

November: Migration/Hibernation
Identify the ways animals (including humans) adapt for winter. Hike to find signs of animal activity and play a migration game to learn about the importance of habitat for migrating animals.

December: Animal Adaptations
Discover how adaptations aid in animal survival with a scavenger hunt, adaptation activity, and a look at live animals.

January: Muskrat Safari
Learn about adaptations of aquatic and land mammals. Go out to the marsh to search for muskrat lodges and get a glimpse of life under the ice.

February: Endangered Species
Find out about the many endangered species world-wide and in our own state. Learn why they become endangered and what we can do to help!

March: Maple Syruping
Learn about the natural and cultural history of maple syruping. Identify and tap maple trees, collect sap, and turn syrup into a maple sugar treat.

April: Water Experiments
Explore the marsh, learn about the water cycle, and perform water tests to see how healthy our water is here at Wood Lake Nature Center.

May: Marsh Explorers
Discover the incredible variety of animals, insects, and plants that live in the marsh. Dip into the marsh with a collection cup to explore the hidden depths of this diverse wetland.

Year 2

September: Seeds and Weeds
What exactly is a weed?  Learn about the importance of plants, then search for the four different kinds of seeds found at Wood Lake.

October: Wild Edibles
Discuss how to identify, collect, and prepare wild edible plants. Sample some of Wood Lake’s wild edibles and prepare a simple wild edible recipe.  Class supply fee: $5 for 1-15 students, $10 for 16-30 students.

November: Animal Camouflage & Coloration
Learn how an animal's coloration helps it survive. Investigate the effectiveness of different types of camouflage at Wood Lake. End the class with a visit from a snake; a living master of camouflage.

December: Animal Homes
Learn how animals’ size and adaptations define their shelters. Hike to survey different animal homes.

January: Keeping Warm
How do animals stay warm all winter without wearing coats and earmuffs?  Learn about the importance of insulation for animals that live in cold climates. Make predictions about the effectiveness of various insulative materials and carry out an experiment to test the predictions.

February: Survival Shelters
What would you do if you were stranded outdoors? Learn about the basics of survival, then test survival skills by making a shelter out of natural materials.

March: Recycling/Paper Making
What is the difference if we recycle or not? Does it really matter? Learn the importance of reducing our waste and make a piece of recycled paper to take home.

April: Trees & Leaves
What is the life cycle of a tree? What does a tree eat? Answer these questions and learn about the shapes and functions of leaves

May: Worm Cookies
Learn about the life history and significance of earthworms, then dig up worms to clean, cook, and mix with dough to make real worm cookies. (No kidding; they’re delicious!)  Class supply fee: $5 for 1-15 students, $10 for 16-30 students.

Year 3

September: Insect Study
Using sweep nets and magnifying ‘bug boxes’, find and observe insects and other invertebrates in the prairie and forest.

October: Predator Prey
Compare the adaptations of predators and prey by looking at skulls of herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. Play a game to simulate predator/prey relationships and watch a video of predators in action.

November: Food Web
How does nature keep itself balanced? Discuss the food chain and make a food web before we hiking the park in search of functioning food webs.

December: Nocturnal Adaptations
Owls, bats, and skunks. What do they all have in common? Find out that and more while trying some cool experiments to test our own adaptations to the night.

January: Snowshoeing
Learn about the history and physics behind snowshoes, then experience the joy of walking on top of snow, conditions permitting.  Additional snowshoe rental cost: $1 per participant.

February: Hot Air Balloons
Discover the physics of hot air balloon flight, then construct and launch a model hot air balloon.

March: Weather
Using infrared thermometers and anemometers, learn why we have weather and how to measure it, and see firsthand how the water cycle works.

April: Flight
Discuss and see examples of the four types of flight and go outside to experiment with boomerangs and water rockets.

May: Birds
Look at birds' amazing adaptations for survival in various habitats. Study real bird parts, participate in a bird behavior scavenger hunt, and see what kind of birds can be seen at Wood Lake Nature Center.

Year 4

September: Bats
Why are people afraid of these great flying mammals?  Learn about the adaptations and behavior of these winged night creatures, debunk some common bat myths, and try out some cool experiments to learn what it's like to be a bat.

October: Mammals
What has fur, warm blood, a four chambered heart, glands, and gives birth to live young? You’re right, mammals. Learn about mammal characteristics then search for some famous Wood Lake mammals.

November: Animal Communication
How and why do animals communicate?  Find out more about the languages and behaviors of some of Wood Lake's 'talkative' animals.

December: Mouse Rugs  (Alternate: Animal Bones)
Ever wonder how to taxidermy an animal? Look at the anatomy of a mouse and learn the basics of skinning an animal. (Grades 3 and up or as a family group.)  If taxidermy is not preferred, learn about animal bones and anatomy by looking at real animal bones and dissecting an owl pellet. (Additional $2 per mouse/pellet.)

January: Nature Close-up
What does snow look like close-up? Have you ever seen the hooks on a bird feather or the scales on an insect wing? See nature like you've never seen it before. Learn all about magnifying lenses and microscopes, then collect something special to look at close-up.

February: Cross-Country Skiing  (Alternate: Winter Scavenger Hunt)
Learn the basics of cross-country skiing with an indoor demonstration followed by practice outdoors. Snow conditions permitting. Additional ski rental cost: $4 per participant under 16 years old, $8 per participant 16 or older. If there's not enough snow, explore Wood Lake by going on a winter scavenger hunt.

March: Decomposition/Composting
Why aren't there dead dinosaurs piled up in our backyards? Find out about the amazing creatures that turn our garbage into nutrients and learn the basics of making compost at home.

April: Soil, Rocks, and Minerals
Learn the difference between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks and compare their characteristics. Discover how they turn into a key component of soil and explore soil’s other ingredients.  Come prepared to get dirty!

May: Natural Resource Management
We are losing our soil faster than we can make it.  What's the problem and how can we help?  Learn about natural resources, soil conservation, and invasive plants, then take part in restoring Wood Lake’s diversity by removing buckthorn and/or other invasive plants.

Year 5

September: Butterflies and Moths
Before going out to try to catch these unique critters, learn about the differences between moths and butterflies, their life cycles, and other cool facts about the Order 'Lepidoptera'. Look at their wings and other body parts up-close under microscopes, then test what you've learned with a butterfly vs. moth picture quiz.

October: Natural Dyes
How do animals get their color? For that matter, how does anything get its color? Learn about structural colors and pigments to figure out where color comes from. Go for a color hike outside and create something colored with natural dyes to take home.

November: Native American Life
Experience what life may have been like for Native Americans. Cook stickbread over a fire, use bone tools, play battledoor, and learn about the plants and animals used for survival.  Class supply fee: $5 for 1-15 students, $10 for 16-30 students.

December: Astronomy
With a slideshow and active demonstration, learn about our solar system. After focusing on our nine (eight) planets, study other things in our solar system by looking through a solar telescope and collecting meteorites.

January: Animal Tracks
Study track identification basics and hike to search for and identify tracks of resident animals. Make plaster casts of animal prints to take home.  Class supply fee: $5 for 1-15 students, $10 for 16-30 students.

February: Snowshoeing/Cross-Country Skiing
Venture out into the (hopefully) white winter wonderland while learning to cross-country ski or snowshoe.

March:  The Nature of Phyics 
How can animals jump so high, run so fast, and leap so far?  How do humans compare to some of the world's most amazing animal athletes?  Learn about the basics of physics and see how your talents compare to the amazing feats performed by the animal kingdom.

April: Herpetology
What in the world is herpetology?!  Find out which animals are herps and discover the characteristics of those animals. Learn about those animals up close and get a chance to touch some live herps.

May: Fossils 
Join a Wood Lake naturalist at the Lilydale brickyards for some real fossil hunting!  Learn about the ancient plants and animals and keep some of the fossils you find.