2008 - 2009 Programs

Vermont Framework of Standards & Learning Opportunities: The specific standards that are addressed are listed after each program below.
Outreach Programs may be held at your school

Natural Science

Mighty Monarchs
Fall • Grades: K-3 • Length: 1 1/2 hours
Outreach Program Option

Monarchs are the only butterflies to migrate north and south each year – yet no single individual completes the round-trip journey. With hands-on activities, students explore the habitat, life-cycle and migration of this magnificent butterfly, including tagging and releasing a monarch before it begins its fall migration to the mountains of Central Mexico. Problem Solving 2.1; Organisms, Evolution and Interdependence 7.13.

The Buzz on Honeybees
Fall • Grades: K-3 • Length: 1 1/2 hours
Outreach Program Option

Who’s who in the hive? How is honey made or flowers pollinated? Students will explore the world of honeybees with investigation, pantomime, and inspection of the bees in our observation hive. With indoor and outdoor activities we’ll examine the bee’s design, life-cycle, social structure and important role as a pollinator, as well as the special arrangement of honeycomb. Organisms, Evolution and Interdependence 7.13; Problem Solving Process 2.2; Analysis 7.11.

Wild & Wary: Vermont's Turkeys
Fall & Spring • Grades: 1-4 • Length: 1 1/2 hours

The word turkey is often associated with Thanksgiving feasts. Unlike earlier times, the turkey we enjoy today isn't a wild bird, but rather farm-raised. While tasty, the domestic turkey is not nearly as fascinating in behavior or development as its wild cousin. With slides, touchable artifacts, and interactive activities, students will explore the history, habitat, life-cycle and behavior of Vermont's wild turkeys. Our inquiry includes activities highlighting the importance of predators in shaping the turkey's behavior and survival strategies. Sustainability 3.9; Historical Connections 6.4; Movements & Settlements 6.8; Organisms, Evolution and Interdependence.

Beavers:
Nature’s Extraordinary Engineers
Fall & Spring • Grades: K-3 • Length: 1 3/4 hours
Outreach Program Option

How does a beaver keep its teeth sharp, stand up to cut a tree down or eat under water without drowning? Through an inquiry-based activity students will discover the adaptations beavers have made which enable them to create their own environment. Using slides, the beaver’s behavior, life cycle and habitat will be highlighted. Then students will explore Hildene’s Battenkill wetland to see the impact of these extraordinary landscapers, and will map their observations. Organisms, Evolution and Interdependence, 7.13; Understanding Place, 4.6.

Pond Discovery
Fall & Spring • Grades: 1-4
Length: 2 hours

To discover the remarkable diversity of the pond community, students will explore the life in and around Hildene’s pond using nets, magnifiers and field guides. They will collect creatures and plants from different pond habitats, make observations about their differences, and identify ways they are adapted to live in a watery world. They will also work together to create a pond food web. Problem Solving Process 2.2; Organisms, Evolution, and Interdependence 7.13; Understanding Place 4.6.

Streams:
Life Beneath the Flow
Fall & Spring • Grades: 2-4
Length: 2 hours

Students will explore the variety of habitats and interconnected web of animals and plants within a stream. They will catch and identify aquatic insects, build a river food web, and learn how the insect life can teach us about a stream’s health. They will also discover important adaptations that are vital for life in these ever-changing ecosystems. Problem Solving Process 2.2; Analysis 7.11; Organisms, Evolution and Interdependence 7.13.

Battenkill Wetland
Investigation
Fall • Grades: 3-5 • Length: 1 1/2 hours

With hands-on activities students will investigate Hildene’s Battenkill wetland to discover the properties and functions of these unique habitats. During the investigation students will determine the water quality based on the macroinvertebrate population, discover the characteristics of wetland soils, and identify common wetland plants and discover how they are adapted to live in a wet environment. Analysis 7.11; Organisms, Evolution, and Interdependence 7.13; Understanding Place 4.6.

Vernal Pools:
Unique Amphibian Nurseries
Spring • Grades: 3-5 • Length: 2 hours

Through slides, hands-on investigation and observation of live animals, students will discover the critical support vernal pools provide to certain amphibians. They will examine the energy and nutrient source of these temporary pools, become familiar with some of the “obligate” vernal pool species and learn why these pools are called the “hatchery of the forest.” Problem Solving Process 2.2; Organisms, Evolution and Interdependence, 7.13; Understanding Place 4.6.

Involved with Invasives
Spring • Grades: 3-5 • Length 2 hours

Lacking natural controls, invasive plants thrive and spread aggressively in forests, fields, wetlands and waterways. Most species possess highly effective adaptations for utilizing resources, enabling them to out-compete native plants. This program is designed to promote awareness of the impacts of invasive plant species and to inspire students to help limit the spread of these plants in their own communities. With indoor and outdoor activities students examine the characteristics of invasive plants, learn to identify common species, and help remove garlic mustard from a local site. Problem Solving 2.2, Analysis 7.11, Organisms, Evolution & Interdependence, 7.13, Understanding Place 4.6.

Under and Over the Snow
Winter • Grades: 1-3 & 4-6 • Length: 2 hours
Outreach Program Option

How do animals adapt to Vermont’s long cold winter? Through indoor and outdoor activities students will examine the survival strategies of animals in winter and learn basic track identification skills. They will examine prints and track patterns, make their own tracking guides, learn to move like the mammals do, and practice their tracking skills in the woods nearby. Problem Solving Process 2.2; Organisms, Evolution, and Interdependence 7.13; Understanding Place 4.6.

History

The Hollow School
Fall, Early Winter & Spring • Grades: 1-4
Length: 1 3/4 hours

Under the guidance of a 19th century schoolteacher, students will learn about going to school over 150 years ago. Our fully restored one-room schoolhouse provides the setting for students to experience the lessons and tasks of children in early Vermont schools. Our “school day” commences when the bell is rung. Role-playing 19th century scholars, students will use reproduction texts, slates and quill pens for their lessons, which include memorization and recitation. They will also play old time games during the recess break. Historical Connections 6.4; Analyzing Knowledge 6.3.

Consider extending your visit! Follow the Hollow School program with a Historic Craft. See below for description of programs.

Historic Crafts
Fall, Winter & Spring • Grades: 2-5
Length: 1 1/2 - 2 hours
Outreach Program Option

Today the word “craft” often means making something for pleasure, in early America making crafts was an essential part of everyday life. To help students understand what it was like to grow up in earlier times, when so many things we take for granted did not exist, they will make some everyday household items such as dipped candles or baskets. Increasing students’ appreciation of the early settler’s self-sufficiency, this hands-on program introduces each craft in an historical context. Please choose from the list below the craft(s) you would like to do:

Dipped Candles 1 1/2 hours (2nd - 5th)
Cornhusk Dolls 1 1/2 hours (3rd - 5th)
Basket Weaving 2 hours (5th grade)
Pierced-Tin Candle Shades 1 hour (2nd - 5th)
Usually a trade rather than a home craft, tinsmithing was done by a tinker who made everyday items including lanterns, candle moulds and kitchen ware.
Wool Crafts 1 1/2 hours (3rd - 5th)
Men, as well as women, were weavers! All students will have a chance to card wool, spin with drop spindles and on a traditional wheel, weave on table looms and work with ring knitters.
Historical Connections 6.4; Movements and Settlements 6.8; Impact of Economic Systems 6.16

A Vermont Story:
The Equinox Guards
& Civil War Camp Life
Fall & Spring • Grades: 4-6
Length: 1 1/2 hours

This program tells the story of the 87 young men from Manchester and surrounding towns, the North Shire, which served in the Civil War. Our story, based primarily on the soldiers’ letters and on newspaper accounts, follows these men from their enlistment and training in 1861, to the Battle at Savage Station in 1862, in which many of them were killed, to the reunions they held years later. Students will role-play actual members of the Equinox Guards.  To illustrate the discipline, hard work and camaraderie of army camp life, students will practice roll call, drills, marches and other activities including letter writing, singing, food sampling and sewing. By making connections between family, community, Vermont history, and United States history, this program is designed to be a resource for any teacher wishing to augment their Vermont history or Civil War curriculum. Historical Connections 6.4; Forces of Unity and Disunity 6.14; Nature of Conflict 6.18.

Window To The Past
Fall, Winter & Spring • Grades: 3-12
Length: 1 1/2 hours

Bring your students for a guided tour of the Hildene Mansion. Before the tour students will see a brief orientation film about the Lincoln family and history of Hildene. During the tour students will learn through artifacts in the home a family history that stretches from before the Civil War to 1975. Historical Connections 6.4; Eras and Styles 5; Times & Cultures 5.2.

Astronomy

Indoor Programs
Fall, Winter & Spring • Grades: 4-12 • Length: 1 - 2 hours

?This program is tailored to meet your curriculum needs on introductory astronomy concepts, e.g., planets, the solar system, and size and scale of cosmic objects. Weather permitting, students use Hildene’s vintage 1909 Warner & Swasey 6”refractor to view a variety of celestial objects. Observing targets are selected based on seasonal visibility and can include the moon, major planets, double-stars, nebula, galaxies, star clusters and comets. Basic constellations and major naked-eye objects will be identified. Theories, Systems and Forces 7.15

Contact Us
For information call Diane Newton, Education Director, 802 367-7965 or by email.

Fees
?Each school program costs $3 per student with the exception of the astronomy program which is $75 per class. Groups are welcome to participate in more than one program during their visit. One adult chaperone admitted free for every 8 students. Additional adults are $5 each. Exceptions are made for special needs students. Additional travel costs may apply if programs are held at your school.

Lunch, Trails & Farm Animals
Groups may enjoy their brown bag lunch in our picnic area. You are also welcome to explore our walking trails. We have interpretive signs along the Farm Loop trail, highlighting trees, shrubs, ferns and other natural features. This trail integrates our small-scale farm of oxen, chickens, goats, sheep, and a miniature donkey, among others!

Hildene's mission is to advance the Lincoln legacy through education, commitment to community and active stewardship of the family's home and land.