Grade 4 Programs

Bus Tour to Walker Aggregates Quarry

This is a half day program which complements the Rocks and Minerals program. Students will experience a working quarry while on a bus tour to nearby Walker Aggregates Quarry (3 minute drive away). The tour will end back at Highlands O.E.C. with hands-on samples of quarry product and equipment. Your school bus transportation is required to stay at Highlands in order to transport your class to and around the quarry. The tour guide will board the bus at the Quarry.

Cross Country Skiing

We will introduce students to the “Classic” technique in a group ski lesson with our professional ski instructors and will cover things such as how to go uphill, how to go downhill and the diagonal stride. If you are coming for multiple visits, we will build on these skills on each subsequent visit. Meets Health and Physical Education curriculum strands. 

Forestry 

Habitats and Communities 

In this program students will analyze the effects of human activities on habitats and communities. Students will visit a farm, the forest floor, and our beaver pond. This will allow them to investigate the structural adaptations that allow plants and animals to survive in specific habitats. They will develop an understanding of a community as a group of interacting species sharing a common habitat. Students will also be reminded of safe and respectful conduct in nature.

Human Survival 

Rocks and Minerals

Students will: investigate, test, and compare the physical properties of rocks and minerals, investigate how rocks and minerals are used and disposed of in everyday life, and describe how igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks are formed.

Snowshoeing

Highlands Nordic offers a range of interactive Snowshoe Programs designed to give students a hands-on experience with winter survival and exploration. These programs provide an exciting mix of adventure and education, allowing students to learn valuable outdoor skills while enjoying the beauty of the winter landscape. Meets Health and Physical Education curriculum strands.

Survival on the Niagara Escarpment (Habitats and Communities)

Students will play a role in a food chain as a carnivore, omnivore or herbivore, as it may occur on the Niagara Escarpment. Our version of the survival game shows the interdependence of all organisms within a local forest community. It examines food chains, food webs, and shows the concept of energy flow within an ecosystem. Students will experience both the struggle all organisms on the escarpment must go through, and the impact humans can have on wildlife populations, food chains, and ecosystems.

Wayfaring (Map Work)

Students will participate in a map reading program building on skills learned as they venture through three progressively challenging levels of maps. Students will only advance after successful completion of each stage.

Wildlife Walk

While on a walk through the woods, concepts such as predator/prey, wildlife adaptations, wildlife populations, and human influence on wildlife are explored through a series of games. This is a fun, active, engaging program. This activity requires fewer adult leaders to be effective.

General Information

• All Programs must be reserved in advance and are designed as half-day sessions for a minimum of 15 students per program. Two half-day programs make an exciting full-day program.
• Program runs rain or shine (unless extreme weather conditions are forecasted).
• Supervisors are expected to remain with their group throughout the visit (program/lunch) and are responsible for discipline.

  Note: Proper footwear, rubber boots or closed toed shoes, is essential for students, teachers and parent volunteers to maximize the learning potential and related enjoyment of these programs.

  PARENT VOLUNTEERS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL PROGRAMS (1 adult for every 5 students).

Grade 3 Programs

Cross Country Skiing

We will introduce students to the “Classic” technique in a group ski lesson with our professional ski instructors and will cover things such as how to go uphill, how to go downhill and the diagonal stride. If you are coming for multiple visits, we will build on these skills on each subsequent visit. Meets Health and Physical Education curriculum strands. 

Forestry 

Human Survival 

Junior Ranger Walk

Students will explore nature using the sense of sight, touch, hear, and smell. This program includes age appropriate activities which may include: bark/leaf rubbing, bug hunt, basic plant identification, animal track identification, sit spots, and other nature games.

Lost in the Woods

Students will learn about surviving in the woods. While embracing a campfire atmosphere, the program explores one’s basic needs of survival, what to pack in their backpacks when going on a hike, how to dress appropriately, and how to build a safe and effective shelter. This half day program pairs well with the Wayfaring programs.

Materials Objects & Everyday Structures

Pioneers and Peddlers

Students will explore the daily lives of pioneer settlers by role playing the life of a peddler as they use a map to travel from “farm” to “farm” trading their goods for whatever the pioneer farmers have available (sheepskins, ashes, hog bristles, etc.). The peddlers then travel to a market to sell the goods collected from the pioneer farmers.

Plant Trek (Growth and Changes in Plants)

Students will take part in a series of interconnected activities that explore the characteristics and requirements of plants and their patterns of growth. A series of plants local to the Niagara Escarpment will be examined on a flora and fauna nature hike. We will explore fall and spring changes to plants, as well as the value of plants in our lives. 

Snowshoeing

Highlands Nordic offers a range of interactive Snowshoe Programs designed to give students a hands-on experience with winter survival and exploration. These programs provide an exciting mix of adventure and education, allowing students to learn valuable outdoor skills while enjoying the beauty of the winter landscape. Meets Health and Physical Education curriculum strands.

Soils Under Our Feet – Soils Study (Soils in the Environment)

This program exposes students to the multitude of fascinating life systems supported by soil. Students are actively involved in the sampling and subsequent analysis of a variety of different soils. This program is intended to introduce students to the interdependence of humans and other living organisms with soils. 

Wayfaring (Map Work)

Students will learn basic mapping skills indoors then use these skills outdoors, following a primary map of the Niagara Escarpment. On their mapping adventure, students work in small groups with parents and teachers to find orienteering markers. 

Wildlife Walk

While on a walk through the woods, concepts such as predator/prey, wildlife adaptations, wildlife populations, and human influence on wildlife are explored through a series of games. This is a fun, active, engaging program. This activity requires fewer adult leaders to be effective.

General Information

• All Programs must be reserved in advance and are designed as half-day sessions for a minimum of 15 students per program. Two half-day programs make an exciting full-day program.
• Program runs rain or shine (unless extreme weather conditions are forecasted).
• Supervisors are expected to remain with their group throughout the visit (program/lunch) and are responsible for discipline.

  Note: Proper footwear, rubber boots or closed toed shoes, is essential for students, teachers and parent volunteers to maximize the learning potential and related enjoyment of these programs.

  PARENT VOLUNTEERS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL PROGRAMS (1 adult for every 5 students).

Grade 2 Programs

Cross Country Skiing

We will introduce students to the “Classic” technique in a group ski lesson with our professional ski instructors and will cover things such as how to go uphill, how to go downhill and the diagonal stride. If you are coming for multiple visits, we will build on these skills on each subsequent visit. Meets Health and Physical Education curriculum strands. 

Farm & Pond Study (Growth and Changes in Animals)

Students will explore both our farm, and pond meeting the plants and animals that call it home. Through age appropriate activities students will learn about each animal’s adaptations, habitats and life cycles. Note: Proper footwear (i.e. Rubber boots) is essential for students, teachers and parent volunteers to maximize the learning potential and related enjoyment of this program. Highlands supplies the dip nets.

Forestry 

Human Survival 

Junior Ranger Walk

Students will explore nature using the sense of sight, touch, hear, and smell. This program includes age appropriate activities which may include: bark/leaf rubbing, bug hunt, basic plant identification, animal track identification, sit spots, and other nature games.

Leader of the Pack (Growth and Changes in Animals)

This game of predator/prey survival, designed specifically for ages five to seven, allows children to role-play wildlife families. The children become baby animals while parent volunteers become animal parents. Each family (five children and one parent) travel around as a group searching for food, water, shelter and space (markers placed in the playing area) and try not to become food for a predator family.

Lost in the Woods

Students will learn about surviving in the woods. While embracing a campfire atmosphere, the program explores one’s basic needs of survival, what to pack in their backpacks when going on a hike, how to dress appropriately, and how to build a safe and effective shelter. This half day program pairs well with the Wayfaring programs.

Materials Objects & Everyday Structures

Sensory Stroll

Students will actively take part in a series of inter-connected activities that explore our natural surroundings by using four of their five senses; touch, smell, sight and hearing. This program aims to foster environmental appreciation within the students by encouraging a sense of wonder and respect of nature through first-hand experiences.

Snowshoeing

Highlands Nordic offers a range of interactive Snowshoe Programs designed to give students a hands-on experience with winter survival and exploration. These programs provide an exciting mix of adventure and education, allowing students to learn valuable outdoor skills while enjoying the beauty of the winter landscape. Meets Health and Physical Education curriculum strands.

Wayfaring (Map Work)

Students will learn basic mapping skills indoors then use these skills outdoors, following a primary map of the Niagara Escarpment. On their mapping adventure, students work in small groups with parents and teachers to find orienteering markers. 

Wildlife Walk

While on a walk through the woods, concepts such as predator/prey, wildlife adaptations, wildlife populations, and human influence on wildlife are explored through a series of games. This is a fun, active, engaging program. This activity requires fewer adult leaders to be effective.

General Information

• All Programs must be reserved in advance and are designed as half-day sessions for a minimum of 15 students per program. Two half-day programs make an exciting full-day program.
• Program runs rain or shine (unless extreme weather conditions are forecasted).
• Supervisors are expected to remain with their group throughout the visit (program/lunch) and are responsible for discipline.

Note: Proper footwear, rubber boots or closed toed shoes, is essential for students, teachers and parent volunteers to maximize the learning potential and related enjoyment of these programs.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL PROGRAMS (1 adult for every 5 students).

Grade 1 Programs

Cross Country Skiing

We will introduce students to the “Classic” technique in a group ski lesson with our professional ski instructors and will cover things such as how to go uphill, how to go downhill and the diagonal stride. If you are coming for multiple visits, we will build on these skills on each subsequent visit. Meets Health and Physical Education curriculum strands. 

Farm & Pond Study (Characteristics and Needs of Living Things)

Students will explore both our pond, meeting the plants and animals that call it home. Through age appropriate activities students will learn about each animal’s adaptations, habitats and life cycles. Note: Proper footwear (i.e. Rubber boots) is essential for students, teachers and parent volunteers to maximize the learning potential and related enjoyment of this program. Highlands supplies the dip nets.

Forestry 

Junior Ranger Walk

Students will explore nature using the sense of sight, touch, hear, and smell. This program includes age appropriate activities which may include: bark/leaf rubbing, bug hunt, basic plant identification, animal track identification, sit spots, and other nature games.

Leader of the Pack (Characteristics and Needs of Living Things)

This game of predator/prey survival, designed specifically for ages five to seven, allows children to role-play wildlife families. The children become baby animals while parent volunteers become animal parents. Each family (five children and one parent) travel around as a group searching for food, water, shelter and space (markers placed in the playing area) and try not to become food for a predator family.

Lost in the Woods

Students will learn about surviving in the woods. While embracing a campfire atmosphere, the program explores one’s basic needs of survival, what to pack in their backpacks when going on a hike, how to dress appropriately, and how to build a safe and effective shelter. This half day program pairs well with the Wayfaring programs.

Materials Objects & Everyday Structures

Sensory Stroll

Students will actively take part in a series of inter-connected activities that explore our natural surroundings by using four of their five senses; touch, smell, sight and hearing. This program aims to foster environmental appreciation within the students by encouraging a sense of wonder and respect of nature through first-hand experiences.

Snowshoeing

Highlands Nordic offers a range of interactive Snowshoe Programs designed to give students a hands-on experience with winter survival and exploration. These programs provide an exciting mix of adventure and education, allowing students to learn valuable outdoor skills while enjoying the beauty of the winter landscape. Meets Health and Physical Education curriculum strands.

Wayfaring (Map Work)

Students will learn basic mapping skills indoors then use these skills outdoors, following a primary map of the Niagara Escarpment. On their mapping adventure, students work in small groups with parents and teachers to find orienteering markers. 

Wildlife Walk

While on a walk through the woods, concepts such as predator/prey, wildlife adaptations, wildlife populations, and human influence on wildlife are explored through a series of games. This is a fun, active, engaging program. This activity requires fewer adult leaders to be effective.

General Information

• All Programs must be reserved in advance and are designed as half-day sessions for a minimum of 15 students per program. Two half-day programs make an exciting full-day program.
• Program runs rain or shine (unless extreme weather conditions are forecasted).
• Supervisors are expected to remain with their group throughout the visit (program/lunch) and are responsible for discipline.

  Note: Proper footwear, rubber boots or closed toed shoes, is essential for students, teachers and parent volunteers to maximize the learning potential and related enjoyment of these programs.

  PARENT VOLUNTEERS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL PROGRAMS (1 adult for every 5 students).

Kindergarten Programs

Discover Science

Students will rotate through a series of activity centres, each based on a Specific Science Curriculum Expectation. Centres will include: waterwheels, windmills, floating boats, pulleys and gears, tool time with hammer and nails, hunt for bugs in the forest floor and more. This program promotes awareness of the natural/human-made environment and of the characteristics, function and uses of some common materials through hands on investigations and observations.

Farm & Pond Study

Students will explore both our pond, meeting the plants and animals that call it home. Through age appropriate activities students will learn about each animal’s adaptations, habitats and life cycles. Note: Proper footwear (i.e. Rubber boots) is essential for students, teachers and parent volunteers to maximize the learning potential and related enjoyment of this program. Highlands supplies the dip nets.

Forestry 

Human Survival 

Junior Ranger Walk

Students will explore nature using the sense of sight, touch, hear, and smell. This program includes age appropriate activities which may include: bark/leaf rubbing, bug hunt, basic plant identification, animal track identification, sit spots, and other nature games.

Leader of the Pack

This game of predator/prey survival, designed specifically for ages five to seven, allows children to role-play wildlife families. The children become baby animals while parent volunteers become animal parents. Each family (five children and one parent) travel around as a group searching for food and water (markers placed in the playing area) and try not to become food for a predator family.

Lost in the Woods

Students will learn about surviving in the woods. While embracing a campfire atmosphere, the program explores one’s basic needs of survival, what to pack in their backpacks when going on a hike, how to dress appropriately, and how to build a safe and effective shelter. This half day program pairs well with the Wayfaring programs.

Materials Objects & Everyday Structures

Sensory Stroll

Students will actively take part in a series of inter-connected activities that explore our natural surroundings by using four of their five senses; touch, smell, sight and hearing. This program aims to foster environmental appreciation within the students by encouraging a sense of wonder and respect of nature through first-hand experiences.

Snowshoeing

Highlands Nordic offers a range of interactive Snowshoe Programs designed to give students a hands-on experience with winter survival and exploration. These programs provide an exciting mix of adventure and education, allowing students to learn valuable outdoor skills while enjoying the beauty of the winter landscape. Meets Health and Physical Education curriculum strands.

Wayfaring (Map Work)

Students will learn basic mapping skills indoors then use these skills outdoors, following a primary map of the Niagara Escarpment. On their mapping adventure, students work in small groups with parents and teachers to find orienteering markers. 

General Information

• All Programs must be reserved in advance and are designed as half-day sessions for a minimum of 15 students per program. Two half-day programs make an exciting full-day program.
• Program runs rain or shine (unless extreme weather conditions are forecasted).
• Supervisors are expected to remain with their group throughout the visit (program/lunch) and are responsible for discipline.

Note: Proper footwear, rubber boots or closed toed shoes, is essential for students, teachers and parent volunteers to maximize the learning potential and related enjoyment of these programs.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL PROGRAMS (1 adult for every 5 students).