Havenwoods State Forest and Nature Center

6141 N. Hopkins Street

Milwaukee, WI 53209

Contact: Sue @ (414) 527-0232

Planning a Field TripCost• $30 for groups of 15 children or less• $2 per child for groups larger than 15 children• Total = $80 for group of 40 studentsChaperones• Havenwoods suggests 1 adult chaperone per 10-12 students• Total = 3-4 chaperones for group of 40 students Transportation• School would need to provide bus service to and from HavenwoodsAccommodations for special needs• For students with physical disabilities, request a program that takes place on the

limestone path• If cost a prohibitive issue for a student or group, request a fee waiver from Sue

JohansenRegistration• Spring Programs are only available April – June• Fall Programs are only available September – October• Spots fill quickly – register early! Sign up for the Havenwoods mailing list to

receive information about registration a semester before field trips begin• Priority is given to new teachers and teacher who did not have a field trip the

previous semester• Havenwoods provides teaching kits as resources for educators who are unable to

plan a field trip on the grounds

Permission Form

Havenwoods Field Trip Permission Slip

We will be taking an environmental field trip to Havenwoods State Forest and Nature Center on _______. Please fill out form and return to school with $2.00 by _______. Thank you!

My son/daughter ____________ has permission to participate in the Havenwoods Field Trip.

My child can participate with special accommodations (please list concerns like allergies, etc)______________________________________________

Parent Signature: _____________________________ Date: ___________

Goals of Field Trip The Way of the Wild

Driving Question• What clues or signs can you use to investigate the animals that live in

the Havenwoods environment? Objective• Students will investigate and recognize the homes, feeding signs, tracks,

and other evidence of Havenwoods’ wildlife.• Students will meet the reptiles and amphibians that live at the centerBasic Outcomes• Students will understand and appreciate wild animals that live in the city• Students will be able to explore and experience a naturalistic

environment• Students are able to describe animal homes, tracks, feeding signs and

express the their reasoningIntroduction• Prior to the field trip, discuss animals homes, animal tracks, activate

background knowledge/personal experiences, discuss animal sightings in the Milwaukee area

• Use the provided “pre-field trip materials” from Havenwoods to prepare students for the experience of The Way of the Wild

Terms• Habitat: a place where an animal is most likely to be found (an

animal home)• Environment: all the surroundings in which something lives• Forest: an collection of trees, brush, and plants that covers a

large area• Autumn: the season between summer and winter; also known as

fall• Mammals: a warm-blooded animal with hair covering the body

• During the field trip, students will discover some mammals that live in the Milwaukee area. Students will learn that the surrounding environment is home to many animals. Animal habitats found in the forest (like nests and brush piles) will be discovered through the field trip. By taking the field trip in the fall, students will witness signs of the season.

• These terms are relevant to everyday life and further learning. Students need a base knowledge of habitats and mammals in their own neighborhoods before they can apply it to other places.

Analysis

• This trip is important for students and the learning process in that they experience a new environment. While the forest environment may be new, students are still gaining knowledge on their surroundings and the Wisconsin landscape. Students will also expand their concept of what is around them by viewing animals and wooded areas. Students will be able to see the “big picture” and make connections about environments. They will experience this first hand and witness the integral parts of an animal habitat.

Assessment

• Students will make predictions before the field trip concerning the animals and habitats they might see.

• After the field trip, students will return to their predictions to make corrections and connections.

• Students should be able to write a paragraph containing the five terms, which they connect to things they saw on the field trip.

• The use of the “post-field trip material” can also lend to authentic assessment.

Resources• In order to prepare for the field trip, teachers and

students alike can visit the following websites: Backyard Wildlife Habitat

http://nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/educatorresources.cfm

EPA Environmental Kids Club http://epa.gov/kids/• Reading Materials: Keepers of the Earth: Native American Stories and

Environmental Activities for Children by Caduto and Bruchac

Project Wild textbooks

Cross-Curricular Connections & Misconceptions

• Writing – write about the experience, creative story, narrative

• Art – be inspired by nature• Reading – read trade books and picture storybooks on

nature, habitats, mammals• Social Studies/Geography – study habitats across the

country and world

• Possible Misconceptions: “No animals live or have a home in the city”

• Our personal knowledge of this topic was “re-opened” as we were reminded of how visible clues are of animal habitats and life styles. Just by walking the trails of Havenwoods, we were able to spot many signs of wildlife. Children might learn about habitats quickly in a setting like Havenwoods because evidence is everywhere!