Fall Homeschool Series for Ages 6 to 10 September 22, 2010

This six-session series introduces homeschool students to basic ecology while nurturing an appreciation for and understanding of the natural world. Students will become familiar with the plants and animals of our area through hands-on discoveries. Each class will begin with a short introduction indoors, and then we will go outside. - - Autumn Weather: September 22 - Become naturalists as we explore autumn weather. Find out how fog, frost, dew, and clouds are formed, and learn how to create a daily weather log. On our discovery walk, we'll see firsthand how weather changes in different habitats as we record wind, water, air, and soil temperatures in a field, forest, and wetland. - - Fall Flowers: September 29 - Come discover the flowers that are in bloom in the fall. Become plant detectives as we take an up-close look at a flower, exploring its colors, parts, and functions. We will dissect a seed to reveal what is waiting inside. - - Fall Migration: October 6 - Every fall, many birds and some insects fly to their wintering grounds. Do you ever wonder how they find their way? Discover the different techniques that birds and insects use to navigate during migration. Join us for a hike around the sanctuary to look and listen for signs of migration and search the skies for flocks of birds. We'll test our own sense of direction with some fun games and activities. - - Nocturnal Navigators: October 13 - Join us as we discover the creatures that are active at night. Learn how owls, bats, and beavers navigate in the dark, and explore their unique adaptations that allow them to be successful nighttime hunters. Experiment with your own senses through games and activities. - - Tree Detectives: October 20 - In autumn, some trees change color and drop their leaves, while others stay green and keep their leaves or needles year-round. Learn why some leaves change color and why some do not. We'll hike the sanctuary to examine different species of trees, and learn how to identify trees by looking at their bark, branching patterns, and leaves or needles. We will go on a tree scavenger hunt, and make bark and leaf rubbings. - - Turkey Talk: October 27 - Thanksgiving is less than a month away. Come learn about how and why this large bird represents the American Thanksgiving holiday. We'll take an up-close look at the feathers of this big bird, and make a terrific turkey craft. Join us for a walk around the sanctuary in search of this mystery bird. Registration is required. Call 978-887-9264 for details. See http://www.massaudubon.org/catalog/listing.php?program_code=1211-IP10SU1 for more information.