4K Seasonal Visits

Fallen Timbers staff visit 4K classrooms and share seasonally themed presentations that include a nature artifact touch table and interactive activity in the classroom.

Bird Lab

Formerly known as Fill The Bill, this class dives into the world of birds and their many adaptations. Through a station based lab we will interactively discover the specification of beaks, flight adaptation, and nest shapes and sizes.

Hibernation & Migration

Hibernation and Migration: Grades K-2. In a series of interactive and fun games, students will learn about Wisconsin's different seasons, understand how animals have adapted to respond to our Wisconsin winters, and practice acting and letter recognition skills.

Hibernation and Migration: Grades 3-5. As temperatures cool and snow starts to fall our Wisconsin animals have to start thinking about what they are going to do to survive the upcoming winter. Working in small groups we will each become mini experts on a few of our well known Wisconsin animals and what they are planning to do for the upcoming winter. We will then present our findings to the class as we all become familiar with hibernation, migration, and adaptation.

Native Animal Tracks

Animal Tracking: grades K-2 (includes salt dough tracks) In a hands-on introduction, students will be able to associate native animals with their tracks and sign they leave behind for us to find. We will explore a variety of our native animals tracks and be able to explain how their track shape serves a function in that animals life. We will even make our own track molds to take home! To wrap up the class, we will set out on a hike to discover what animals are running around right here at Fallen Timbers.

Animal Tracking: grades 3-5 In this lesson, students will focus on the connection between local wildlife, their tracks, and other unique signs they leave behind for us to find. After gaining an understanding of what we are looking for, we will set out as detectives to see who has been wandering around the land of Fallen Timbers.

Skulls Lab

In this class we will examine real animal skulls making detailed observations and using measuring tools to learn about the structure and function of each skull.Through our investigation, we can determine if the skulls came from herbivores, omnivores or carnivores. 

Whitetail Deer

In this lesson, students will discover how the whitetail deer has adapted to make life in its ruthless environment a little easier. Students will work through a hands-on lab as they dress up or scientifically examine seven different adaptations the whitetail deer uses every day of its life to just to stay alive. We will then set out on a guided hike to discover the signs deer have left behind for us to know they thrive in the woods of Fallen Timbers. 

Big and Little

Through practicing their observation and communication skills, students will transform into scientists and closely examine young and adult plants and animals to correctly match together the corresponding adult and immature organisms. 

Decomposers  

Through exploration and discovery, students will investigate decomposers and the role of decomposers in maintaining the flow of nutrients in an environment. Students will also learn about the additional components that make up the forest floor ecosystem.  

Ephemeral Pond Study

In this lesson students will be exploring one of Fallen Timbers’ unique and seasonal ecosystems- Ephemeral ponds. This incredible ecosystem is only around a portion of the year and is essential for some organisms survival. We will hike into our flooded woodland and discover what types of aquatic organisms take over our woods during this special time of year. 

Green Plant Cycle

The Green Plant Cycle lesson teaches students about the steps on how plants grow; from seed to decomposition, and every step in between . This lesson can be used to introduce the green plant cycle unit or extend the learning of the unit. 

Living vs. Non-Living

In this hike based lesson, students will understand the difference between living and nonliving things and identifying these things in the environment.

Roles of Living Things

Each and every living thing on this planet plays a role amongst all other living things in a massive food chain. Learn how energy is gathered, transferred, and naturally recycled throughout our planet in an easy to understand and interactive lesson.

Solar Energy

We can investigate the Sun’s energy through scientific experiments, art, even solar cooking. Students will use skills such as reading thermometers, making predictions, and graphing. Students will be able to take home solar art that they make during this class.

Solar System

We will explore the Solar System and work with small groups to build scale models of our Solar System using Play-Doh. (Optional related activity) As we discuss space exploration, we can design build model (paper) rockets and experiment with launching these “stomp” rockets. 

Water Cycle

We are drinking the same water today that the dinosaurs drank a million years ago, HOW?! The water cycle! Learn about how water moves in this never ending cycle through this activity based lesson. 

Weather Lab

This station based class will take you around our pond loop using the tools of the trade to discover and record the current weather conditions. We will then evaluate our recordings and discuss how to use this information in our everyday lives.

Winter Weather

This station based class will take you around our pond loop using the tools of the trade to discover and record the current weather conditions. We will then evaluate our recordings and discuss how to use this information in our everyday lives. Students investigate the difference in weather in WI during the winter compared to the warmer months and connect this knowledge to the animals we find in this climate. 

Predator Prey: grades K-2

Predator Prey: grades 3-5

Capture the Prey: grades 2-5

Fallen Timbers staff lead all classes in a whole group game at the end of the day. Predator Prey is a tag game that puts kids into the food chain. We have developed lower and upper elementary versions to simplify the rules and roles for younger students. Capture the Prey has kids pretending to be squirrels and owls in a Capture the Flag type game.

Alphabet Hike

Alpha Hike is an alphabet themed scavenger-hunt activity designed to give students the opportunity to work cooperatively with others while discovering the ecosystem around them.

Earth Walks

Through hands on activities and using their senses, students will learn about the different ecosystems at Fallen Timbers. Students will also explore microclimates and subtleties in the natural world.

Hike

(Bird Watching, Living vs Non-Living, Scavenger Hunts, & Tracking)

Go on one of our themed scavenger-hunt style hikes designed to give students the opportunity to work cooperatively with others while discovering the ecosystem around them. Hikes can be adapted to fit the days curriculum or provide a stand alone activity for the day. 

Insect Study

As students transform into scientists they will uncover the world of insects through a brief introduction to identification and classification. Then we will set out on an insect hunt to discover what insects the area around Fallen Timbers is holding.

Pond Study

This activity focuses on the many different aquatic organisms that call our pond ‘home’ at Fallen Timbers. It is a hands-on learning investigation for students to discover those forms of life using dip nets, bug viewers, aqua-scopes, field guides, collection bowls, and teamwork to find out which organisms live in our pond. Learn about the ecosystem itself and determine its overall health from your findings. 

Ecosystems Trip

This OFFSITE program was created to compare 2 or 3 different bodies of water (Lily Lake, Neshota River, Kewaunee River). We visit the different sampling sites and compare the data of each water body to judge the overall health of those waters. 

Geology Trip

This OFFSITE visits two Brown County Parks (Bay Shore and Wequiock Falls) and one locally active quarry to offer hands on experience with our local geology. Explore the Niagara Escarpment up close. You will even get a chance to do some rock collecting and bring a sample home. 

Meeting/Event

Meetings and events can be scheduled at Fallen Timbers for consortium members.

Other/special

Teachers can request any topic area and our staff will co-work with consortium staff in creating a custom-fit lesson tied directly to the students' learning!

Prairie Ecology

We will hike out to explore our prairie ecosystem. Using inquiry and investigation, students will search for evidence of animal communities and look in depth at the plant community that makes the prairie a unique ecosystem. 

Service Project

Want to help out with projects at Fallen Timbers? We are always looking for extra hands to get things done.

Survival Challenge

Take on the challenge of survival in a 1/2 day activity of survival stations and prepared scenarios that your group must work together to correctly address in order to survive. This day is geared for a smaller group of students in the 6th grade and above.

Trash Talk

Fallen Timbers staff will come to your classrooms to explore the idea of Recycling through an interactive sorting game, and an art project where students identify how they can help our Earth. Geared toward 4K and Kindergarten students. Could also be taught at Fallen Timbers as part of program visit. 

Campfire Lunch

Invite your students to bring along hot dogs or s’mores to cook over the fire. Fallen Timbers staff will prepare a bonfire and provide roasting sticks for you to use. School staff must provide supervision at the fire. Other students may choose to eat indoors or at picnic tables if not cooking over the fire. (Grades 5 & up)

Cross Country Skiing 

Learn about the different types of boots and bindings, get into a pair, and learn to ski! For the more advanced students we utilize the groomed trails for a longer course and enjoy the fresh winter air.

EE Games- Thicket game, OH Deer, Animal Sounds

In class-sized groups, students will participate in a number of different activities relating to environmental education. Environmental education games are often well known games that have been given an environmental twist for students to take on different roles of animals.

Scent Trail

In this activity based lesson, students will understand how animals use their sense of smell in their everyday lives, understand how our sense of smell differs from an animal's sense of smell, and put their nose to the test in a scent matching game.

Snowshoeing

Open to all age levels, snowshoeing is a great way to get outdoors in the winter and enjoy the trails one step at a time! We will learn about the different styles of snowshoes, how to put them on, and then set out on snowshoes to explore the Fallen Timbers forests!

Survival Fires

Having a fire can help satisfy three out of four basic needs when entering a survival situation. Work with a knowledgeable professional and learn how to use simple materials to build a survival fire in a controlled setting.

Survival Shelters

Build your own shelter with a team and learn the vital items to consider when spending an unplanned night outdoors. Be sure everyone fits inside before 'the storm' hits!

Team Challenge Course

This program gets students moving! Students will hike out to our Team Challenge Course to take on various challenges of initiatives, team building activities, and low-ropes style obstacles. This program encourages patience, teamwork, and good problem solving.

Maple Syrup

Offered during the spring sap run (typically late February-early April), this program covers history, current uses, tapping practices, and much more. Students will get to help tap a maple tree in the sugar bush, watch real maple syrup in the making, and sample our syrup over vanilla ice cream!

Seed Design

In this lesson students will learn about the importance of seed distribution and the methods in which parent plants distribute their seeds. Then, students will be assigned a method of transportation used by plants (wind, water, gravity, or animals) and must plan and design a way, using craft materials, to distribute a seed away from themselves as they stand on a chair and release their seed design. The goal will be to create a design that moves their seed as far away as possible once released.

Tree Identification

Elementary students learn about different types of trees and how to identify common species through an exploratory outdoor activity. Secondary students learn to use a dichotomous key to identify various species of trees at Fallen Timbers and discuss Forest Management. 

Tree ID: grades 1-5

Tree ID: grades 6-8 & Forest Management

 

Fall, Winter, Spring, 5 Senses, Nature (general)

Explore the area around Fallen Timbers as you search for various items on your scavenger hunt list! Scavenger hunts are themed to fit seasons, animal tracks and sign, senses, or general nature related topics.

 

Geocaching

This high-tech scavenger hunt introduces students to the world of GPS technology! Using our hand-held Garmin GPS devices to navigate and explore the outdoors we will hunt for hidden containers hidden across the Fallen Timbers property.

Orienteering

Learn how to use a compass, calculate and determine pacing , and navigate without electronic technology!

Fur Trading History 

Take a step back in time to discover the historical importance of the fur trade in the 16th century. Understand the different players in the fur trade market, their relationships with each other, and the value assessed to different items being traded as goods during this time period.

Lumbering History

Traveling back in time, students will discover one of Wisconsin's major cultural impacts-- Logging and lumbering history. In a cohesive time-line,students will understand the tools associated with lumbering in the late 1800’s, the process of harvesting timber, the lumberjack lifestyle, and the changes this process made to the landscape. We will then partake in a mini “lumberjack olympics” to get a feel for how difficult the work was during this time period- buck saws, two man crosscut saws, come along races, and lumberjack games.

Wisconsin Wolves

The wolf is Wisconsin’s top predator and their presence affects many species within our ecosystems. The wolf's presence in Wisconsin has changed over the years due to its relationships with humans. Learn what sets wolves apart from other predators, their communication skills, and how their population has fluctuated over time. 

Check out the webcam for wolves at the International Wolf Center in Ely, MN.