Curriculum l TN Curriculum Connections l Schedule Options l Reservations 1 Staff
Each school year, the William P. Ridley 4-H Center offers a hands-on outdoor science program called, “Take A Walk On The Wild Side.” The mission of the program is to develop and deliver outdoor science education activities with a focus on non-formal, experiential learning that are non-biased and research-based. The Ridley 4-H Center's outdoor science program is designed to enhance and reinforce the classroom curriculum for Tennessee students in grades kindergarten through eight.
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Curriculum
The curriculum for the program addresses Tennessee's Department of Education science curriculum objectives.
Each class is taught by individuals who have knowledge and training in the area he/she is teaching.
The interactive curriculum utilizes scienctific investigations, scavenger hunts, relay and tag games, and group challenges to teach the units of study. Year after year, teachers comment on how well the activities complement and reinforce the science topics they teach in the classroom. The outdoor science program has seven main units of study:
Agriculture--Investigate where food comes from and the importance of agriculture in the global community.
Forest Ecology--Identify trees and plants while observing animals in their natural habitat (class includes hiking a mild to moderate terrain).
Global Connections--Understand the importance of our natural resources. Analyze their interdependence and necessity for the sustainability of life on earth.
Soils--Learn about the earth's geological features. Students will have the opportunity to study the soil and learn about fossils, insects, earthworms, the effect weathering has on the earth's surface as well as how to classify different types of rocks and minerals.
Team Building I (K-3)-- Discover how to work together to solve problems and complete tasks by playing a variety of cooperative games.
Team Building II (4-8)--Utilize the low ropes course and participate in a variety of cooperative games. Students learn the importance of working together to achieve goals. (Class requires low to moderate physical activity.)
Water--Discover the physical properties of water and understand the importance of water in our environment while conducting water quality studies and reviewing the water cycle.
Wildlife--Learn about animal habitats, the food chain, predators, prey and animal adaptations.
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Tennessee Curriculum Connections
Our curriculum is based on Tennessee's curriculum standards with a focus on science, social studies and health and wellness/physical fitness. The standards are written in such a way that it allows flexibilty for our staff to incorporate a variety of hands-on experiences.
The Tennessee Science Standards K-12 Guide states, the Science Standards are built upon the premise that science is an active process and that all students must have instruction that incorporates a multitude of active learning experiences. The Science Standards’ major premise is that students learn science by doing science.” The Ridley 4-H Center’s outdoor science program provides students and teachers the opportunity to explore science beyond the classroom, create a trusting bond and assist in reinforcing science concepts in preparation for the state standardized testing. The following standards are written for the 2009-2010 school year.
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Schedule Options
During the school year, several options are available for classroom teachers to choose from:
One Day: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Fee includes classes and lunch
One Day Extended: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Bring your lunch, dinner provided; Fee includes classes and dinner
Two Days: 10:00 a.m. day one through 12:30 p.m. day two; Fee includes classes, 4 meals, and one night's lodging
Three Days: 10 a.m. day one through 12:30 p.m. day three; Fee includes classes, 7 meals, and two night's lodging
One teacher/parent per 10 campers participates free of charge. All reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. A non-refundable deposit is required--early reservations are advised. Groups of less than 120 may be required to share the facilities with another group.
Please call the Ridley 4-H Center for current fee rates.
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Reservations
To reserve a date for a field trip to the Ridley 4-H Center or to receive additional information, please contact Terri L. Quillin, Program Director at 931-388-4011.
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Back Row: Alice Johns, Brian Stewart, Beverly Richardson
Front Row: Terri Quillin, Lisa Vassar, Laura Adair, Virginia Ragsdale
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