The Fifth-Grade Environmental Education Program hosts over 5000 5th grade students at the Oregon Garden each year. Field trips are funded through the Roth's Benefit-Education Foundation. Students discover various Garden habitats and experience the natural world through eight different outdoor lessons.

The grants supporting the 5th Grade programs at the Oregon Garden cover the cost of the program, transportation by a school bus, the bus driver, admission and program fees. The grant supported programs are available to all Oregon schools for one visit per school year. Unless otherwise approved, a maximum of $600.00 reimbursement is allowed per school with an itemized transportation invoice. These grants are made possible through the Friends of the Children’s Garden, Vendors and Roth’s Fresh Markets. Please schedule the school bus after you receive confirmation of your trip date and arrange with your school to pay for the bus. The lead teacher will receive a bus reimbursement form the day of the school program. The program typically takes four hours to complete; this includes a half hour for lunch. Lessons are between 45 and 60 minutes long. We have a covered picnic area available, if your students would like to bring a bagged lunch. The earliest a program may start is 9:30 am. The maximum number of fifth grade students we are able to accommodate per day is 75. Larger groups will be scheduled for two different dates. Students will be divided into groups of 25 or smaller and rotate through the stations. The sessions may cover two or three of the topics listed below and described in our school programs brochure. Please rank your preferences and we will try to accommodate your top choices. Visits may take place March 1 - December 1.

Grants are given on a first come first served basis, so register soon!!!

Click here for the 5TH GRADE GRANT-SUPPORTED PROGRAM REQUEST FORM.

Contact: Cindy Quam Program Coordinator (503) 584 7256

Programs Available:

Amazing Aqua Life

What exactly do wetlands do, and what lives in them? Students observe and investigate the Oregon Garden wetlands and identify aquatic invertebrates and amphibians through hands-on samples. Discover the function and interactions of aquatic organisms while predicting what aquatic insect samples might indicate about water quality. Observe unique survival characteristics of aquatic plants and discover what invasive species exist within the ecosystem. Since the wetlands are an integral feature of the Garden, I recommend this lesson be selected for all classes. Due to hands-on activity, it is one of the student favorites!

Habitat Hike/Food Web/Wildlife

Students become scientists searching for signs of wildlife in the forest and oak grove habitat of the Garden. Test your observation skills to discover owl pellets, burrows, nests and clues of animal activity. Find out how plants and animals depend upon one another in their roles as a producer, consumer or decomposer within the food web. Discover predator/prey relationships as well as some of the characteristics of herbivores, carnivores and omnivores.

Time allowing, students will classify animal tracks to "track families" while discovering unique facts about wildlife with hands-on samples of wildlife signs and animal track castings. See more of the undeveloped areas of the Garden by hiking the trail to the lower spring searching for amphibian activity and making further connections to the food web within the oak grove. This lesson is another student favorite and has lots of opportunities for connected thinking, great exercise and outdoor learning exposure.

Love of insects

Develop an appreciation of the amazing world of insects and their adaptations for survival. Hands-on activity demonstrates what physical characteristics scientists would identify to sort and classify insects within different orders. See insect damage samples and learn some cool facts about the hidden world of insects. Study insect anatomy through hands-on giant grasshopper specimens and make predictions of interesting adaptations within our larger insect collection. Weather and season permitting, students may conduct field work collecting insects. Conclude by testing your knowledge in a round of insect jeopardy. Students enjoy this hands-on lesson and renew their appreciation of the amazing world of insects.

Plant Adaptations

Students participate in guided inquiry uncovering information about the secret world of plants. Take a closer look at how photosynthesis really works. Learn how plants from different biomes around the world develop strategies to survive and thrive in their natural habitats. Student groups investigate how leaf size, texture and shape can provide clues to plant survival. Hands-on seed samples indicate fascinating plant features and illustrate reproductive strategies. Use the Oregon Garden as an outdoor lab to complement a study of plant adaptations in the classroom.

Decomposers - The Circle of Life

Students take a closer look at decomposition and decomposers as our underground hidden heroes. Study the interactions of worms, beetles, pill bugs, fungi and bacteria and their role within the ecosystem. Learn what makes a beneficial worm habitat and how to build a worm bin for your school. Understand structure, anatomy and function of red wiggler worms through hands-on samples. This lesson meets life science standards and has a great hands-on component.

Pollination

Dissect a flower and discover the process of pollination. Students learn the role of each flower part as well as the valuable role of pollinators. Test your knowledge in a group game. This is an excellent sit down learning activity best for the spring. Retention results are highest if teachers briefly introduce simple flower parts in classroom prior to visiting.

Lovely Leaves

Learn what physical characteristics in leaf and branching patterns scientists use to identify trees. What processes occur in the fall as trees slow their growth and leaves change color? Students study distinguishing features of leaves or needles, learn how to use a dichotomous key, and then test their new knowledge by keying out trees in the Garden. This is a fall activity only.

Birds: (from seed to song)

This lesson is a fun introduction to the world of birds. What makes birds unique in the animal kingdom? This lesson discusses bird basics and special adaptations. Play a matching birdcall game. Using binoculars, students identify several species of birds around the Oregon Garden. We favor this as a spring activity since birds are more active at this time of year.

Feel free to contact me at cquam1@chemeketa.edu if you have any questions about lesson content. I have take-home lessons prepared for many of the units. As always, students learn best with advance classroom preparation of subject and vocabulary.

Combined with all lessons:

The Great Garden Tour

Students take a guided walking tour through the garden focusing on plants, Oregon sculpture, and history of the Garden while tying in other lessons of the day. Depending on the time of year and daily weather, this activity may include a special emphasis on seeds, leaves or flowers found seasonally in the Garden.

Nature Journaling

Students receive an Oregon Garden Journal and record individual sensory observations throughout the day. Take home a colorful reminder of Garden discoveries and lessons of the day.