I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas about how to make a trip to the zoo a more enriching educational experience for young children. If you have any sugestions it would be a big help. We are going to the St. Louis Zoo later this month and I want them to get more out of it this time than tired legs. Thank you very much.
Have you checked out their website? Our zoo has a really well designed one that includes printables based on the children's age/grade level. They also have a really cool scavenger hunt the kids can do and their name is put in a raffle for free admission tickets. Our zoo's site has a link for education. If your's doesn't, you could even make one yourself geared around what you feel your kiddos are able to find.
http://www.marylandzoo.org/# Follow this link. At the top of the page, click on 'Edzoocation' (I think that's what it is.) On that page there are a lot of things to choose from. We're going to homeschool day in September, and I downloaded lesson plans and all that. Zoos are zoos, so hopefully you can use what's on the Maryland Zoo site.
www.riverbanks.org Go to the education link and then click on school programs. I can't get the link to work from here.
I really like the scavanger hunt idea. Do you have any ideas on how to make your own? I'm not sure all of the kids could do that kind of one. I've never even been on a scavanger hunt before so I'm not sure how it should work Thank you
When we go to the zoo I make a little checklist for the boys. I list some animals I want them to look for, since they can't really read I use pictures from a magazine or clipart. Then I have them check off the ones they find and write (or tell me) one neat thing they learned about each animal on their list...and each child has a different list!
Several years ago we went to the Zoo with our homeschool co-op group (is was much cheaper with a group discount). To make it more educational, each of the kids did an oral report on their favorite animal and when we got to the zoo, the child stood in front of that animal exhibit and gave their oral report. My oldest was doing pre-k at the time so what we did was read books about his favorite animal (the elephant) and when it was his turn for his oral report, he told us what he learned about the elephant in his words. Michael and I learned alot about the elephant. Did you know that an elephant's pregnancy is two years? I thought we human's had a long pregnancy with 9 months... I can't imagine a 24 month pregnancy. Since you are going to the St. Louis Zoo, you can check with their Library and Teacher Resource Center and see if you can request and their loan materials for you and your children. Check and see if they are offering any special classes or events for homeschooolers. Our San Antonio Zoo is offering a real wild classroom for homeschooled students in October. http://www.sazoo-aq.org/edzoocation/realwildclassroom.html
Check this out: http://www.billybear4kids.com/animal/visit-the-zoo/begin.html Also, if you use "Considering God's Creation" for science, there's some good zoo pages in the animal section somewhere!
