School Programs Brochure

8/9/2019 School Programs Brochure

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Topics

Welcome Letter

Living History: Sites and Lessons

Cooper Gristmill

Fosterfelds Living Historical Farm

Historic Speedwell

Science and Interdisciplinary:

Sites and Lessons

Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center

Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area

The Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Registration and General Information

Professional Development Training

Map/Lesson Grade Level Matrices

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Page(s)

2

3 - 5

5 - 7

7 - 9

10 - 14

14 - 18

19 - 22

23

24 - 26

Center Insert

Table of Contents



Dear Teachers,

You don’t need to go far to nd exciting and educational eld trip

possibilities! This catalog is full of eld trip ideas offered by the Morris

County Park Commission. I wanted to take this opportunity to

emphasize that the Morris County Park Commission staff is here to

work with you as a partner in educating area youth.

To improve the educational experience for your students, we have closely

correlated lesson topics and objectives to t the NJ Core Curriculum

Standards, as well as the most commonly taught science and social studies

topics of local schools.

Our goal is for these lessons to t seamlessly into your existing

curriculum. As fellow educators, our staff understands the challenge for

teachers to nd time for eld trips when more content is required to be

taught each year. We want to help you accomplish your curricular goals,

and do a little of your work for you! To this end, these programs are

enriched with numerous hands-on activities, pre- and post-trip lessons,

and take home follow-up activities. In addition, professional development

workshops are offered for teachers on a wide variety of topics to help

enrich and support your curriculum.

We are very excited about putting these lessons to work for your

students and are certain that they will be an asset to your school’s

program. We encourage you to take advantage of the Park Commission’s

many excellent eld trip sites that are close at hand and offer a wealth of

educational experiences at an affordable price. Please contact us if youneed any additional information. We look forward to seeing you and your

students soon!

Sincerely,

David Helmer

Executive Director

Morris County Park Commission

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www.morrisparks.net

Welcome Teachers



Cooper Gristmill66 Route 513Chester, NJ 07930

Phone: 973-631-5343Email: [email protected]

Behold the power of water! Watchthe 1880s-era Cooper Gristmill usethe nearby Black River to move pulleysand gears to grind grain into our. The

newly-restored upper oors showcasewater-powered elevators, grain cleaners,and our-sifting equipment that explainthis important trade. See technology atwork in the Cooper Gristmill.

Cooper Gristmill is a restored gristmill

originally owned by Nathan Cooper,a well-known gure in Milltown, theommunity which grew up around the stone mill. Built in 1826, the millcontinued to grind farmers’ seeds, including wheat, corn, and buckwheat,into our and meal until 1913, when it shut down. The Morris CountyPark Commission acquired the building, restored it, and has run themill entirely on waterpower since 1978. In addition to the mill, the siteincludes the Abram Cooper Visitors Center with exhibits and displays

relating to the natural, technological, and society of the Black River area.

School programs are offered April through June and September throughNovember on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Tours start at 9:30 a.m.In addition to touring the mill, classes experience the marvelous wonderof machines. Visiting school teachers each receive a free bag of wheatour and/or corn meal.

The Visitors Center and the rst oor (millstone oor) of the mill arewheelchair accessible, as are some of the outdoor areas. The waterwheelis not wheelchair accessible. Please dress appropriately for the weather.The mill is not heated, and the stone walls retain coolness. The CarriageHouse is available by reservation for lunch, but it is not heated.

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History and the Old Mill

Grades: K - 6

Duration: 2 hours

Offered in Spring and Fall

Experience how grain and other seeds are hand-ground into our andmeal using a mortar and pestle, and saddlestone. Through simple

demonstrations of a waterwheel and a gear model, learn how the power

of the Black River does the same job more easily and faster. Tour the

Cooper Gristmill and see this energy in action as it produces our at the

rate of several hundred pounds per hour.

Miller’s PancakeGrades: Pre-K - 1

Duration: 1 ½ hours


Experience the process of creating a perfect golden brown pancake.

Begin by learning where our comes from and watch as we make that

breakfast food we enjoy so much. Hear and feel the rumble of the

millstones. Touch the seeds before they are ground and then after they

become our or meal. This program is adapted from Eric Carle’s book,Pancakes, Pancakes!

Family Life in MilltownGrades 1 - 6 (Can be adapted for higher grades)

Duration: 2 hours


In this interactive program, the concept of community is developed usingMilltown, which once included homes, mills, a store, and a school.

Discover family life in this 1880s community, while engaging in daily family

activities of yesteryear. Teachers choose four of the following activities

for the students to participate in: sawing wood, washing clothes, carding

wool, spinning yarn, sewing with a treadle sewing machine, purchasing

items at an 1880s general store, and learning about an 1880s postal

system.

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Mechanical MarvelsGrades: 3 - 8Duration: 2 hoursOffered in Spring and Fall

Combine science, math, and history techniques to learn how the sixsimple machines make everyday life easier. Students apply hands-onactivities to discover how these machines help to operate the mill’sequipment. They experience how to lift heavy weights with ease by usingpulleys and levers. Watch as one man raises a 2,000-pound millstone withthe assistance of simple machines.

Industrial RevolutionGrades: 9 - 12Duration: 2 hoursOffered in Spring and FallLearn how the advancements in gristmills impacted life in the 1880sthrough technology, construction, and production (of our). Experiencethe use of waterpower to operate Oliver Evans’ fully automatic factoryas the water wheel runs most of the machinery inside. Hear about the

development of millstones, combining simple machines, and the varioustypes of water wheels and water power.

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Explore Fosterelds Living Historical Farm, the 200-acre estate farmdonated by Miss Foster to the Morris County Park Commission.

Fosterelds today is very much as it was when Caroline Foster lived there.Crops are planted in its wide elds, Jersey cows graze in the pasture, andchickens wander about the barnyard. Visitors are invited to discover farmand domestic life as it existed in the early 20th century through hands-onactivities, interactive educational demonstrations, and interpretation bycostumed staff.

Fosterfields Living Historical Farm

73 Kahdena RoadMorristown, NJ 07960Phone: 973-631-5343Email: [email protected]




Fosterelds and its historic house, The

Willows, are included on the State and

National Registers of Historic Places. The site

is also designated as a part of the Washington

Valley National Historic District.

The school programs at Fosterelds are

offered April through June and September

through November on Wednesdays, Thursdays,

and Fridays. Classes start at 9:30 a.m. and the

duration of each class is two hours

(1 ½ hours, if requested). To lend greater

authenticity to the students’ experience,lessons are supported by various “primary

resources” such as Charles Foster’s “Weather Book” journal and

Caroline Foster’s diary.

Programs may be varied according to group needs. Classes are held rain

or shine, and the interiors of some of the historic buildings may be chilly.

Visitors are encouraged to dress appropriately for an outdoors farm

experience. Fosterelds is wheelchair accessible. An on-site picnic

shelter may be reserved, if available, at no extra cost. Also, the Visitors

Center hosts a variety of exhibits focusing on Fosterelds and

Morristown-area history.

Cara’s FarmGrades: K - 3

Duration: 2 hours


See the farm as it appeared in the late 19th and early 20th centuries

through the eyes of a young Caroline Foster, nicknamed “Cara,” and

her cousin, Charlie. Experience rsthand some of the chores of the

time period. Students role-play and participate in activities such as corn

cracking, butter churning, and washing and drying laundry. They learn whycertain crops and vegetables were grown at Fosterelds and meet the

many farm animals including Jersey cows, draft horses, pigs, and chickens.

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Jerseys, Journals, Wagons, and Kernels!Grades: 3 - 8Duration: 2 hoursOffered in Spring and Fall

Learn about early 20th century Fosterelds by experiencing a day in the lifeof the resident farmers and their families. Students will “get in character” andbecome a farm laborer, the farm manager’s wife, or the coachman to discoverhow each person’s work contributed to the farm’s operation. They learn aboutthe innovative agricultural farming methods practiced at Fosterelds and trytheir hands at various farm chores that were typical of the time period.

A Tale of Two HousesGrades: 3 - 12Duration: 2 hoursOffered in Spring and FallBecome acquainted with early 1900s Morristown society. Learn about thepeople who lived and worked at Fosterelds Farm and in the Foster familyhome, The Willows. Through role-playing, students compare and contrast the

lifestyles of the Fosters and their farm laborers and domestics. Explore socialcustoms, effects of immigration, educational opportunities, and the varyingdegrees of economic prosperity as experienced by the former Fostereldsresidents. Both the farm and The Willows are included in this tour.

Historic Speedwell

333 Speedwell AvenueMorristown, NJ 07960Phone: 973-285-6550Email: [email protected]

Experience life during the early years of the

Industrial Revolution at Historic Speedwell.This National Historic Landmark Sitepreserves the restored Homestead Estateof Stephen Vail, proprietor of the SpeedwellIronworks from the early to mid-1800s.

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Witness the story of Vail’s once extensive ironworks located nearby

through exhibits and ironworking artifacts. The most signicant building

at Historic Speedwell is the Factory where Stephen’s son, Alfred,

worked with Samuel F. B. Morse to perfect the telegraph. It was here

on January 11, 1838 that the electromagnetic telegraph was rst

publicly demonstrated making Historic Speedwell the “Birthplace of the

Telegraph.”

School programs are offered April through June and September through

mid-November on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Classes begin at

9:30 a.m. and are offered in morning or afternoon sessions. Each lesson

will last approximately 2 hours, but can be adapted to t your schedule.

Teachers are invited to reserve an entire day and experience more thanone hands-on program. Tours include a new hands-on, interactive exhibit

on the history of the telegraph.

Most of the seven buildings at Historic Speedwell are wheelchair

accessible, with the exception of the Granary, the second oor of the Vail

House and the second oor of the Factory Building. Please dress

appropriately for the weather since some of the buildings at Historic

Speedwell are not heated or air conditioned. Outdoor picnic tables are

available for lunch. In the event of inclement weather, indoor lunch space

is made available. Students can also visit the Historic Speedwell Gift Shop,

offering a variety of souvenirs and gifts starting at 25¢.

Iron, Invention, and Home: Discovering Historic Speedwell

Grades: K - 12

Duration: 2 hours


Explore Historic Speedwell through a guided tour of exhibits and the

original buildings from the Vail Homestead, including the Factory, where

Alfred Vail and Samuel F. B. Morse held the rst public demonstration of

the telegraph in 1838. Also featured is the Vail Mansion, home of Stephen

Vail and his family from 1844 to 1864. This program features interactiveactivities and discussion to bring the site to life.

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The Dream of Steam: Steam Power in the 19th Century

Grades: 2 - 12

Duration: 2 hours


Ever wonder why a teapot whistles when the water boils? Visit HistoricSpeedwell and learn how steam revolutionized power in the 19th

century. Also learn how Stephen Vail, owner of the Speedwell Ironworks,

was involved in this cutting edge technology. This program discusses the

evolution of steam power from a novelty to a useful industrial tool. The

program also addresses how steam power makes machines work and

Stephen Vail’s use of this technology in his business ventures.

Students enjoy demonstrations, participate in an exhibit activity,

and experience a hands-on building activity.

Making the Connection: Speedwell and the Telegraph

Grades: 3 - 6

Duration: 2 hours


Step into the shoes of Alfred Vail. Experiment with electricity, magnets,and wire to discover how a message can be sent over a great distance.

Build a basic telegraph, and send a message using “the code.” After the

workshop, tour the Factory where the telegraph was rst demonstrated

to the public in 1838.

Cast from the Past: Labor and Production at theSpeedwell Ironworks

Grades: 3 - 12

Duration: 2 hours


Work for the Speedwell Ironworks

for a day! In this hands-on workshop,

students learn the historic processes of sand casting,

including making a mold, and creating a casting (with a safe molten ironsubstitute) to take home. While the castings are drying, students visit the

exhibit, “The Speedwell Ironworks: A History of Workers and Work,”

where an interactive activity focuses on the history of the Ironworks and

highlights objects from the collection.

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The Great Swamp

Outdoor Education Center247 Southern Boulevard

Chatham, NJ 07928Phone: 973-635-6629Email: [email protected]

The Great Swamp was created about15,000 years ago when the meltingWisconsin Glacier poured into thePassaic River Valley and formed giant

glacial Lake Passaic. Eventually the lakedrained northward forming the PassaicRiver and leaving behind the GreatSwamp.

In 1960, the Port Authority of New York designated the GreatSwamp as the site for a fourth metropolitan airport. Many local

citizens, spearheaded by the Save the Swamp Committee, fought thedesignation and won. Land in the swamp was purchased and turnedover to the U.S. Department of the Interior, which in turn createdthe 7,235-acre Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

The Refuge preserves the natural environment of the area andserves as a home for many animals, such as turtles, fox, and deer.It is also an important resting place for migrating birds. Because

of its scientic and natural signicance, the Great Swamp NationalWildlife Refuge has been designated a Registered National NaturalLandmark.

Located on over 45 acres of county land adjacent to the GreatSwamp National Wildlife Refuge, the Great Swamp OutdoorEducation Center, a facility of the Morris County Park Commission,

has two classrooms, a large auditorium, a natural history library,interactive educational displays, restrooms, and two miles of hikingtrails. The Education Center and portions of the trails arewheelchair accessible.

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Science and Interdisciplinary: Sites and Lessons



The Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center offers walks for

Pre-K through college students on a wide variety of topics.

Lessons in Natural History are designed to stimulate an interest in,

appreciation of, and respect for the environment. Classes generally

begin with an indoor presentation followed by an outdoor guided

walk and activities.

Lessons are offered Monday through Friday year-round, rain or shine.

We can accommodate a maximum of two classes in the morning

and two in the afternoon. Classes may also choose an all-day

plan consisting of two lessons, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a lunch

break. There are no lunch facilities on site, but there are several

sites within a short distance that have outdoor picnic facilities.Information on and directions to these sites will be provided on

request.

Nature NutsGrades: Pre-K - 2

Duration: 1 - 1½ hours

Offered year-round

Curious youngsters learn how to stay safe and have fun while

learning a great deal about the natural environment during this

introductory walk. Hands-on activities emphasize respect for the

natural world and its creatures.

Sense-ationalGrades: K - 2


Offered year-round

This lesson emphasizes the sensory approach to exploring the

natural world. Children enjoy experiencing nature through their ve

senses while learning how animals and plants use senses to survive.

Fantastic ForestGrades: 1 - 4

Duration: 1½ - 2 hours

Offered year-round

Discover the wonders of the forest habitat and its inhabitants

through hands-on activities and exploration. Students focus on

trees as they learn about plant life cycles, as well as the jobs of roots,

leaves, bark, branches, and more.

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Whose Home?Grades: 2 - 5Duration: 1½ - 2 hoursOffered in Fall, Winter, and Spring

Students compare and contrast forest, meadow, swamp, marsh, andpond habitats through rsthand observation. Fun activities help thechildren to understand the characteristics of habitats that all animals,plants, and even humans need to survive.

Cool Creepy CrawliesGrades: 3 - 6Duration: 1½ - 2 hours

Offered May 15 through October 15Students study live insects and some of their relatives byexamining body characteristics, habits, and adaptations throughindoor and outdoor activities.

Nature DetectivesGrades: 3 - 6Duration: 1½ - 2 hours

Offered in Fall, Winter, and SpringWho’s been roaming the Great Swamp? Students search foranimal signs, homes, sounds, and other clues left behind by wildresidents. During the lesson, the concept of food webs isintroduced.

Amazing AdaptationsGrades: 3 - 6Duration: 1½ - 2 hoursHow do animals avoid predators on the prowl, attract the bestmates, or survive the winter cold? Visit a variety of habitats and takepart in hands-on activities to learn about the amazing physical andbehavioral adaptations that help wildlife survive.

Lenape Life **Interdisciplinary Offering**

Grades: 3 - 8Duration: 1½ - 2 hoursOffered in Fall and Spring

Ever visit a wigwam? Explore the culture of the Lenape Indians of

New Jersey through their food, medicine, shelter, tools, and beliefs

An emphasis is placed on the importance of the natural world in

their daily existence.

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Blazing the Way **Interdisciplinary Offering**

Grades: 3 - 8


Offered in Fall, Winter, and Spring

Could you have survived life in New Jersey in the 1700s? Use of thenatural environment was essential to the pioneers. Students will love

learning about the plants they used, making wooden shingles with

real pioneer tools, and dyeing wool with native berries, nuts,

and owers, among other activities.

Backbone Bonanza

Grades: 3 - 8Duration: 1½ - 2 hours

Offered in Fall and Spring

Who has backbone and who is spineless in the animal kingdom?

Find out about vertebrates and invertebrates as students handle a

multitude of touchable nature objects, view specimens, and take a

hike to categorize all the animal life found.

Get Lost **Interdisciplinary Offering**

Grades: 3 - 12

Duration: 2 hours

Classes discover the basics of orienteering, combining science, math,

and history as they learn about early navigational tools and basic

map and compass use. Following a series of hands-on activities, the

lesson culminates with an orienteering team challenge.

Maple Sugaring **Interdisciplinary Offering**

Grades: 3 - 12


Offered in January and February only

Students discover the sweet secrets of making maple syrup

through a classroom presentation on the history of maple sugaring,identifying and tapping a maple tree, and more. Outdoors, the

students collect sap, observe the evaporation process, and then

sample freshly made maple syrup.

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The World in the WaterGrades: 5 -12Duration: 1½ - 2 hoursOffered in Spring, Summer, and Fall

Students are amazed to discover the many tiny creatures that live inour pond as they collect some for study. They also learn how thesemacroinvertebrates can be water quality indicators.

Great Swamp EcosystemsGrades: 9 - CollegeDuration: 1½ - 2 hours

Offered year-roundStudents take part in an in-depth study of the fauna and oraof the major ecosystems in the Great Swamp. Currentenvironmental issues in New Jersey, such as invasive speciesand watershed issues, are also stressed. Lesson content canbe adapted to t class needs.

Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area 472A Boonton AvenueBoonton, NJ 07005Phone: 973-334-3130Email: [email protected]

During the last glacial period,

Pyramid Mountain Natural HistoricArea (PMNHA) was covered with icea mile thick. About 15,000 years ago,the Wisconsin Glacier retreated andleft the landscape littered with “glacialerratics,” boulders deposited fromother sites. Formations, such as the

balancing Tripod Rock and the massive Bear Rock are some of theunique erratics found on the trails of Pyramid Mountain.

Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area boasts more than 1,500acres of scenic forest in Montville Township, Boonton Township,and Kinnelon Borough.

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The headwaters of the Stony Brook, a tributary of the Rockaway

River system, and extensive wetlands are located in this area. The

forests, ridges, swamps, and streams provide prime habitats for more

than 100 species of birds, 30 species of mammals, and more than 400

species of plants. Over 25 miles of trails offer visitors access to this

unique and beautiful area.

Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area offers classes for students

from Pre-K through college on a wide variety of topics. Lessons

are designed to stimulate an interest, appreciation, and respect for

natural history and the environment.

Most classes begin with an indoor presentation and are followed bya hike. Due to the nature of the steep and rocky terrain,

accessibility is limited, however, the Visitors Center is wheelchair

accessible. The Visitors Center features a classroom, interactive

natural and historical exhibits, and restrooms.

Lessons are offered Monday through Friday year-round, rain or

shine. Morning or afternoon time slots are available. Classes may

also choose an all-day plan consisting of two lessons, from 10 a.m.

to 2 p.m., with a lunch break. There are no lunch facilities on site,

but there are several sites within a short distance that have outdoor

picnic facilities. Information on and directions to these sites will be

provided on request.

Nature NutsGrades: Pre-K - 2


Offered year-round

Curious students learn how to stay safe and have fun while learning

a great deal about the natural environment during this

introductory walk. Hands-on activities emphasize respect for

the natural world and its creatures.

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Sense-ationalGrades: K - 2


Offered year-round

This lesson emphasizes the sensory approach to exploring thenatural world. Children enjoy experiencing nature through

their ve senses while learning how animals and plants use senses

to survive.

Fantastic ForestGrades: 1 - 4

Duration: 1½ - 2 hoursOffered year-round

Discover the wonders of the forest habitat and its inhabitants

through hands-on activities and exploration. Trees are the focus as

students learn about plant life cycles, and the jobs of roots, leaves,

bark, branches, and more.

Cool Creepy CrawliesGrades: 3 - 6


Offered May 15 through October 15

Students study live insects and some of their relatives by

examining body characteristics, habits, and adaptations through

indoor and outdoor activities.

Bird-BrainedGrades: 3 - 6

Duration: Approx. 2 hours


What’s so special about feathered friends? As they hike through

different habitats, observing and identifying birds, students are

introduced to the amazing adaptations, behaviors, and habits of thesewinged creatures.

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Nature DetectivesGrades: 3 - 6



Who’s been roaming Pyramid Mountain? Students search foranimal signs, homes, sounds, and other clues left behind by wild

residents. During the lesson, the concept of food webs

is introduced.

Hiking Through History

Grades: 3 - 8

Duration: Approx. 2 hoursOffered in Fall, Winter, and Spring

Travel through a billion years of history in just two hours. Students

take a fascinating journey through the history of the area from

mountain-building events through European settlement and up to

the present.

Rock On!Grades: 3 - 8



New Jersey’s geologic history is literally etched in stone! During this

lesson, students hunt for rocks and minerals along the trail, study

glacial formations and climb ridges made of New Jersey’s

oldest rocks.

Backbone BonanzaGrades: 3 - 8


Offered in Fall and Spring

Who has a backbone and who is spineless in the animal kingdom?

Find out about vertebrates and invertebrates as students handle amultitude of touchable nature objects, view specimens, and take a

hike to categorize all the animal life found.

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**Interdisciplinary

Offering**




Get Lost **Interdisciplinary Offering**

Grades: 3 - 12

Duration: 2 hours

Offered year-round

Classes discover the basics of orienteering, combining science, math,and history, as they learn about early navigational tools and basic

map and compass use. Following a series of hands-on activities, the

lesson culminates with an orienteering team challenge.

Lenape Life in Winter **Interdisciplinary Offering**

Grades: 3 - 12

Duration: Approx. 2 hoursOffered in Winter only

The Lenape Indians depended on the wise use of and respect for

the local ora and fauna, especially in the winter. Learn how they

prepared for and lived through the harsh winter season with

nature’s help.

Ecosystem ExplorationGrades: 9 - College


Offered year-round

Students observe a variety of habitats rsthand and determine their

dening characteristics and species. A special emphasis is placed on

the conservation challenges in these ecosystems, such as invasive

species, erosion, species overpopulation, preservation vs. recreation,

and human impact. Lesson content can be adapted to t

curriculum needs.

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The Frelinghuysen Arboretum53 East Hanover AvenueMorris Township, NJ 07960Phone: 973-631-5004

Email: [email protected]

The Frelinghuysen Arboretum,once known as Whippany Farm,was the country home of GeorgeGriswold Frelinghuysen and hiswife, Sara Ballentine Frelinghuysen,

as well as their two children. Themansion, an example of ColonialRevival architecture, was builtin 1891 and the property wasdesigned in the style of an English estate. The Frelinghuysen familyspent forty summers at Whippany Farm. Their daughter, Matilda E.Frelinghuysen, inherited the property from her parents and plannedto have it converted into a public arboretum.

In 1969, Whippany Farm was bequeathed to Morris County, and itis now on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Today,the mansion serves as the headquarters of the Morris County Park Commission.

The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, a 127-acre tract, serves as a regional

center for horticulture featuring gardens, lawns, meadows, andwoods. In 1989, the Joseph F. Haggerty Education Center openedallowing for a year-round calendar of horticultural shows andprograms for adults and children. The Haggerty Education Centerhouses two classrooms for educational programming, and thebeautiful gardens are an integral part of the school class experience.The Haggerty Education Center and the arboretum gardens arewheelchair accessible.

The Frelinghuysen Arboretum school programs are available duringthe school year on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and areheld rain or shine.

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These workshops are designed to stimulate an appreciation and

interest in plants, horticulture, botany, and the environment. The

exact content of the programs may vary depending on grade level,

season of the year, and the weather. During every lesson, students

pot a plant to take home. Self-guided Backpack Tours are also

available and can be rented year-round. There are no lunch facilities

on site although students are welcome to eat in the various gardens.

Proper picnic behavior is expected.

Plants Around UsGrades: Pre-K - 4

Duration: Pre-K and K: 1 hour

Grades 1 - 4: 1 ½ hours


Roots, stems, leaves, and owers – each of these parts has an

important function. This workshop offers a basic introduction

to the world of plants. Children discover the interconnectivity

between plants and themselves through rsthand investigations of

plants. Weather permitting, the class goes outside to explore thearboretum’s gardens and see the diversity of plant life. Every child

will take home a plant that they planted during the program.

Trees - In Your Own BackyardGrades: Pre-K - 5Duration: 1 ½ hours


Trees are some of the largest living organisms on earth. Using the

living laboratory of the arboretum grounds, students investigate the

uses, as well as the diversity of these tremendous plants. They learn

the functions and uses of the major parts of a tree and discover the

importance of trees to all of us for homes, shelter, food, and more.

Depending on the season, children plant an indoor tree to take

home or start some trees from seed.

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Seeds – Where it All BeginsGrades: 1 - 5



Most plants begin their lives as tiny seeds. Under the rightconditions, they grow to produce roots, stems, leaves, owers, and

nally, more seeds so that the cycle begins again. Children explore

questions such as: Are seeds alive? How long can a seed last?

How does a seed know when to start growing? Outside, children

will gather a collection of seeds. Inside, they plant a variety of seeds

to grow at home.

Bulbs - Plant in a PackageGrades: 2 - 5


Offered from September through November

What makes bulbs so specials? More than just an early sign of

spring, bulbs produce some of the most easily recognizable plants.

This workshop introduces students to a bulb’s uniqueness in the

plant world. Students explore a bulb’s special growth cycle and itsrelationship with the seasons and climate. Outside, children explore

how autumn effects changes in plants. Children plant and take home

a bulb to “force.”

Propagation – No Seed? No Problem

Grades 3 - 8Duration: 1 ½ hours


Tips, divisions, runners, and offshoots are just a few of the ways that

plants reproduce without seeds. Students examine different

methods of propagation and plant several different types of

specimens to take home. Outside, students explore how

plants reproduce by the vegetative process.

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Backpack Field Trip: I TreesGrades: 1 - 5


This self-guided backpack tour gives teachers and chaperones

information, activities, and games for use during a class visit toThe Frelinghuysen Arboretum. These materials help classes to

discover some of New Jersey’s most useful and interesting trees.

Want to measure a tree without a ruler? Learn how! Wondering

what are the most common trees in New Jersey? Discover and

see them up close! Each backpack has supplies and activities for

up to 30 children. Backpack eld trips may be rescheduled due to

inclement weather, availability permitting.

Backpack Field Trip: Math in the GardenGrades: 3 - 5


Explore the different gardens of The Frelinghuysen Arboretum

with “multiples” of math games and activities. Students see

rsthand how numbers work in nature as they explore measuring,estimating, symmetry, graphing, and more. Count the number

of leaves on a tree; see patterns in owers and leaves; and search

for triangles everywhere! Each backpack contains materials for

30 children and allows teachers to travel through the gardens

making math come to life. This self-guided tour allows for teachers,

students, and chaperones to move freely throughout the park and

includes follow-up materials to reinforce concepts in the classroom.

Backpack eld trips may be rescheduled due to inclement weather,availability permitting.

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All programs are conducted rain or shine and exact contents of the

programs may vary based on season, weather conditions, and grade

level. Students should dress appropriately to be outside and wearsturdy shoes. In case of inclement weather, programs will be adjusted

and indoor activities substituted when possible.

A maximum of 25 students per class is recommended for the

educational benet of the children. Four adults per class, including the

teacher, are permitted to accompany the class as chaperones. If extra

adults, such as a nurse, special aides, or drivers are needed,

accommodations can be made.

To register your class for a eld trip lesson, please call the facility

where the program you prefer is offered. You will receive

conrmation of your reservation, pre- and post-trip lesson

suggestions, and correlations to the New Jersey Standard Core

content in the mail. Payment for programs must be received at least

two weeks prior to trip date. Purchase orders, checks, and cash areaccepted. Please call individual sites for our current pricing. All fees

are non-refundable. If you need to reschedule your class, we will

attempt to accommodate you if our schedule permits.

If you are interested in having a program on a different natural

history, horticultural, or historic topic, we are happy to work with you

to create one to t your needs.

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Cooper Gristmill 973-631-5343

Fosterfelds Living Historical Farm 973-631-5343

Historic Speedwell 973-285-6550

Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center 973-635-6629

Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area 973-334-3130

The Frelinghuysen Arboretum 973-631-5004




Professional Development

The Morris County Park Commission is proud to offer a wealth of

professional development opportunities for area educators. Please

call the site which offers the desired workshop for scheduled datesor to arrange for an in-service workshop for your school.

Project WET Great Swamp OEC or Pyramid Mt. NHA

Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is an innovative

program designed to enhance curriculum lessons in all subject

areas through activities emphasizing the awareness, appreciation,

knowledge and stewardship of water resources. Activities suchas “Macro-invertebrate Mayhem,” “A Drop in the Bucket,” and

“The Incredible Journey” examine water’s properties, quantity and

quality issues, and aquatic wildlife and ecosystems. Appropriate

for teachers of grade levels K to 12. Includes a curriculum guide of

nearly 100 lessons.

Project Learning Tree Great Swamp OEC or Pyramid Mt. NHA

Project Learning Tree is an interdisciplinary environmental

education program that uses the forest as a “window on the world”

to increase students’ understanding of our complex environment.

Myriad topics include: natural resources, habitats, ecosystems, energy,

economics, adaptations, diversity, and of course, forests and trees.

This program aims to enable students to apply scientic processes

and higher order thinking skills to resolve environmental problems,

acquire an appreciation for diverse viewpoints, and inspire creativity,originality and exibility. Appropriate for teachers of grade levels

Pre-K to 8. Includes a curriculum guide with nearly 100 lessons.

Flying WILD Great Swamp OEC or Pyramid Mt. NHA

This exciting new program introduces elementary and middle school

students to bird conservation through classroom activities and

school bird festivals. It also supports educators by providinginterdisciplinary opportunities to engage students in real-world

learning that helps them to understand the importance of migratory

birds and their conservation. Flying WILD activities also

complement and support many of the concepts presented in

Project WILD. Appropriate for teachers of grade levels K to 12.

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Project WILD Aquatic Great Swamp OEC or Pyramid Mt. NHA

The waters of the earth, in some form, are within walking distance

from anywhere on the planet. The Project WILD Aquatic curriculum

serves as an invitation to explore and understand the fascinating

world of water and the aquatic habitats it supports. Through these

cross-curricular activities, students learn that water is one of the

basic components of habitat for people and wildlife and that aquatic

species and ecosystems give humans early and clear warning about

the quality of the water environment upon which we all depend.

Appropriate for teachers of grade levels K to 12.

Proyecto WILD Great Swamp OEC or Pyramid Mt. NHA

This workshop is specially designed for bilingual, ESL, and Spanishlanguage teachers. Combining activities from the renowned Project

WILD and Project WILD Aquatic curriculums, teachers learn how to

introduce their classes to environmental issues regardless of their

language background. This workshop is taught in both English and

Spanish, and participants are able to choose in which language they

would like to receive their curriculum guide book.

Get Out! Great Swamp OEC or Pyramid Mt. NHA

Have you wished you could take your students outdoors to do

hands-on science in your schoolyard but been afraid to try? Or

have you been unsure how to use the environment around your

school to enhance instruction? This workshop was designed by the

Morris County Park Commission’s Environmental Education staff to

help you deal with just those issues. During the course of the

workshop, you are exposed to a wide variety of simple, hands-on

activities that relate directly to your science curriculum topics and

make use of any schoolyard habitat, from urban to rural. Basic

natural history background information and species identication are

also be included. Appropriate for teachers of grade levels Pre-K to

8. Includes curriculum materials to take home.

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Living History! Fosterfelds and Cooper Gristmill

At this workshop, teachers of all grade levels discover how to use

living history not only to stimulate students’ interest but also to

provide content that meets the Core Curriculum Content

Standards. We incorporate primary sources and introduce

rst-hand experiences that show history as it truly happened.

Using the resources of our historic sites, teachers learn how to

use role-playing, hands-on activities, and primary sources to

engage the students’ in learning about life as it was in earlier times

and to help develop decision-making, problem-solving, and critical

thinking skills. Participants receive curriculum materials that can

be used in their classrooms to help make history come alive for

the students!

Creating a Schoolyard GardenThe Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Does your school need an outdoor learning space but you don’t

know where to start? Whether you are starting from scratch

or taking over an existing garden, this workshop helps with

everything from the nuts and bolts of planning to the actualpropagation of appropriate plants for your garden. Topics include

an overview of different types of gardens that can be used in

schools, maintenance and building a “caretaking team,” and the

implementation process of designing and planning your garden.

This workshop also offers tips on linking the garden across the

curriculum and tying it to core curriculum content standards.

All participants start plants for their gardens. Appropriate for

teachers of grade levels Pre-K to 12. Includes planning checklistsand curriculum materials to take home.


Documents

School Programs Brochure