Home Page, General Info, About Us, Contact Information, Area Links, Reflection Riding, Kids & Learning, Environmental Education, 2007 Summer Camps, Special Programs, CNC at TN RiverGardens, K-5 Field Classes, K-5 Naturalist Programs, 6-8 Field Classes, 6-8 Naturalist Programs, Homeschool Program, Hollow Tree Gift Shop, Programs, Events, Family Naturalist Certification, CNC Recycling, Wildlife, Wildlife Questions, CNC Animal Ambassadors, Red Wolf, Bobcat, Racoon, Opossum, Screech Owl, Red Tailed Hawk, American Bald Eagle, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Toad, Eastern Box Turtle, Red Eared Pond Slider, Corn Snake, Kingsnake, Rat Snake, Pinesnake, Garter Snake, Copperhead, Timber Rattlesnake, Simple Ways to Protect Wildlife, Articles, Ask the Naturalist 1, Ask the Naturalist 2, Timber Rattlesnake, Enjoy a New Adventure, Facility Rentals, Treehouse Celebrations, CNC Wedding Celebrations, Meetings & Retreats, Gift Shop, Support CNC, 2006 Wish List, CNC Sponsors,

CNC K-5 Field Classes

Programs take place, rain or shine! Just make sure your students are dressed appropriately for the weather conditions. If the weather is too severe for outdoor classes, your students will experience similar programming on your chosen topic, indoors.

For a listing of Hamilton County Learning Expectations and Tennessee Science Curriculum Content Standards for each class visit the Program Standards page in this website.

For reservations or more information, call 423-821-1160 ext. 107

Pre-Kindergarten: Self-guided Wee Hike

(Length determined by teacher) CNC provides lesson plans and materials for an exciting self-guided excursion, where pre-schoolers can learn that it's fun to be in the forest. Age appropriate scavenger hunts available on request.

Kindergarten: Come to Your Senses

1.5 hrs $6

During a walk through the woods, while participating in games and hands-on activities, students explore the five senses and discover why senses are important to animals and people.

Grade 1: Wild Kingdom

2 hrs $6

Students learn how to classify insects, spiders and other animals according to their characteristics, recognize the difference between plants and animals, and identify plant and animal habitat needs as they hike through the forest.

Grades 1-2: Junior Howlers

1.5 hrs $5

The story of the endangered red wolf unfolds for students through selected interactive experiences including “wolf talk” (howling) and role-playing games. A video presentation shows the Red Wolf Recovery scientists in action. The program concludes with a viewing of CNC's resident red wolves.

Grade 2: The Animal/Plant Connection

2 hrs $6

During a hike, students learn about the important connection between plants and animals while exploring different habitats, their basic requirements, and how plants and animals are adapted to their habitats. Students will experience the diversity of the forest while exploring how animals and plants are dependant on each other.

Grade 3: The Balancing Act

2 hrs $6

Students learn about the delicate balance between predators and prey while exploring different habitats, the elements of a food web, and how animals are adapted to survive in specific habitats. Students see firsthand the importance of decomposers and explore the process by which soil is formed.

Grade 3-5: Ecology Hike to the Bamboo Forest

2.5 hrs $6

Students experience different wildlife habitats and predator / prey relationships through games and activities as they hike out to the Bamboo Forest at Reflection Riding. Lunch is eaten at the pavilion near the bamboo forest so bring backpacks with a sack lunch and water bottles.

Grades 3-5: Pond Study

2 hrs $6

Students determine the water quality of a pond, learn about insects as indicators of water quality, and explore a natural wetland area.

Grades 3-5: Trees are Terrific

2 hrs $6

Students learn basic tree identification skills while exploring the ways that trees provide food and shelter for many different animals. They adopt a tree in the forest, measure it, study it, and write their observations in a tree journal. Students also learn about transpiration and photosynthesis.

Grades 4-5: Ecology in Action

2 hrs $6

Students hike along the trails around CNC and Reflection Riding, exploring the forest ecosystem. Using the tools of scientists, students work together to conduct a census of plant or animal populations, create biomaps, and explore the land through general ecological experiments. Fourth grade students will experience a sensory predator hunt and fifth grade students will participate in a red wolf predator / prey simulation activity.

Grades 3-5: On the Brink — The Endangered Red Wolf

1.5 hrs $6

Students learn about basic red wolf adaptations and behavior, the amazing story of their rescue from the brink of extinction, and how the national Red Wolf Recovery Program is helping to restore these important predators to their natural habitat in the southeastern United States. After a short writing activity, students meet CNC's red wolves in the Wildlife Wanderland.

Grades K-5: Self-Guided Exploration

2 hrs $4

Take your class on a nature walk and set your own pace. Scavenger hunts are available for grades K-5 for use by your students. These must be requested in advance. In case of rain, self-guided programs will need to be rescheduled due to limited indoor facilities.

Grades 3-5: Cherokee Childhood

3 hrs $8

Students experience life as Native American children of long ago by participating in games, stories and household chores from the past. They collect natural objects to make a “medicine bag,” prepare food with stone tools and see a Cherokee Chief’s cabin.

Grades 4-5: Service Learning Project

3 hrs $4

During this hands-on class, students will learn about some of the exotic species that have been introduced in the United States and the effects that they have had on the environment. Then students will go out into the field and help in the removal of privet and to restore our forest to a more natural state.