Presentations for Grades 3 to 5 -
~an in-school field trip~
Presentations have a unique and fun approach, hands-on activities, and discussion that inspire students. Some programs include storytelling, music, and Smart board lessons (if that technology is available at your school).
Please choose from a long list of programs that are standards-based (see standards-based page) or enrichment programs. Please ask about a custom-designed program to meet your specific needs. Each program runs 45-50 minutes
Cost: $95 per class
I. Health-Related Programs:
A HEART TO HEART
We’ll have a heart to heart about the anatomy and physiology of the human heart, what keeps it healthy, and what choices we make can negatively affect the heart, such as smoking and a poor diet. In the hands-on activity, students will measure and chart their heart rate pre/post exercise. Your class will recieve a complimentary copy of my book,The Circulatory Story.
THE QUEST TO DIGEST
Are you hungry? Take a trip from the mouth through the esophagus to the stomach and intestines; learn what happens to food and to what is not digested. What happens when things go wrong in the digestive system with things like ulcers, colon cancer, and even tapeworms! A sure gross-out! Your class will receive a complimentary copy ofmy book, The Quest to Digest.
BONE UP ON BONES
Skeletons are not spooky! Children learn the wonders of the skeletal system, including its structure and function, the number of bones in the human body, and how to keep your skeletal system healthy. Children will view x-rays of the human skeleton and guess what animals is shown in x-rays of animal skeletons. The big finish is a dissection of an owl pellet, in which children find bones of small rodents.
II. Various Science Topics:
GONE MISSING: NUTMEG THE DOG
Nutmeg, the dog, has gone missing. Students work in groups, using genetic traits, fingerprints, simple chemistry, density, and other clues, to find out who might have taken her. Once the mystery is solved, they find Nutmeg is fine!
WHAT’S TO SAY ABOUT DNA?
Students can wear blue genes for this program, as they take a trip inside a human cell to study DNA, chromosomes, genes, human traits, and DNA replication, as well as the scientists involved in the discovery of DNA. In a demonstration, students will see how DNA can be extracted from wheat germ; in the hands-on activity, students make a DNA model.
SOUNDS LIKE SCIENCE!
Now hear this! Learn about components of sound--pitch, intensity, sound waves, and frequency; learn about how we hear, including anatomy and physiology of the ear. Students make a musical instrument.
WEIRD PLANTS
Why do Venus Flytraps trap insects? Learn the in's and out's of carnivorous plant responses such as the flytrap, sundew, and pitcher plants, as well as why and how they catch living things while still being considered plants.
WE HAVE SUCH CHEMISTRY
Why did it hurt when that orange squirted in your eye? Students study the pH scale and learn about acids and bases. Environmental consequences of acid rain are addressed. In the hands-on activity, students will test different solutions to determine their pH.
FUN, FASCINATING FOSSILS
What makes a fossil a fossil? Students learn ways in which the remains of living things can be preserved, from oreodont (mammals) skeletons, to plants, to insect carbon imprints, to dinosaur tracks. In the hands-on activity, students make a fossil and receive a fossil shark tooth!
A NATURE HIKE—IN YOUR OWN SCHOOLYARD
Nature is everywhere! Enjoy a nature hike in your school's backyard. Kids get outside and use hand lenses to observe what is available--trees, birds, rocks, and lichen; they learn about biotic and abiotic components of the environment. We discuss differences in features of diurnal and nocturnal animals, do some tree ID, and talk pollution.
FLOWER POWER
In this program, students learn about flowering plants and plant reproduction, including pollination and fertilization. In the hands-on activity, studnets dissect a flower.
THINK GREEN...AND BE GREEN!
Learn about recycling and ways we can make a difference on our planet...more to come...
III. Connecticut Standand-Based Programs:
~THE THREE BEARS & THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
~and more...
Other...
School Health Fair
Our children are consistently hearing in the media about health topics such as a healthy heart, why not to smoke, incidence of cancer, healthy eating, taking care of your eyes and skin, etc. By engaging in a School Health Fair, your students will research particular health topics and present/teach that information to the fair visitors in a one-night public program. The grades suggested for this program are 4, 5, 6, and or 7 (flexible). School Health Fairs require much time, work, and planning. My proposal is to assist your school in planning the fair in ways listed below. Through their research, study, and cooperative work, students will be eager to share their finding with visitors as well as hopefully incorporating some of the healthy lifestyles learned.
Having prepared and presented three health fairs in my teaching experience, it is obvious that a project like this has an impact on students’ lives. I look forward to helping your school “get healthy!”
