Learning Activities for K – 12th Grade Students
Virtual Discover the Flyway is a collection of live and recorded environmental learning activities based on Yolo Basin Foundation’s outdoor education program and aligned with California science and social studies standards. Its goal is to offer students a meaningful experience that will give them a real connection to the wetlands, agriculture, and wildlife of the Central Valley during a time of distance learning and encourage a lifetime of healthy outdoor activities and development of a land stewardship ethic.
The program is a partnership between Yolo Basin Foundation and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Since 1997, over 70,000 students from both public and private schools in the Sacramento region have experienced a Discover the Flyway field trip. Starting in the 2020-21 school year, Discover the Flyway will extend its reach by providing virtual opportunities.
Program Description
The Virtual Discover the Flyway learning activities will be available in two formats, live and recorded. Live activities are available with and without hands-on material requirements.
Live, Virtual Learning Activities:
- September through December
- Four, forty-minute learning activities available per day
- Reserve learning activities per day (4 max.), week, or month
- $75 per class for first learning activity; second and all subsequent learning activities are $50 each per class
- Maximum of one class to participate in each learning activity
- Hands-on materials required for certain activities (see below for details)
- Tuition assistance is available for Title I schools. Contact Heidi Satter, hsatter@yolobasin.org, for more information.
Live, Virtual Science Learning Activities:
Animals
Tracks, Scat and Signs (1st – 6th)
Birds
Feathered Friends (K – 2nd)
Owl Pellets (4th – 12th) *hands-on materials required/strongly recommended
Land Stewardship
Un-Nature Trail (K – 2nd)
Plants
Leaf Identification (K – 2nd) *hands-on materials required
Wetland Plant ID (3rd – 12th) *hands-on materials required
Soil
Sinking into Soil (K – 1st) *hands-on materials required
The Great Percolation Race (2nd – 12th) *hands-on materials required
Water
Wetland Pond Study (K – 12th)
Wildlife Area Tour
Tours available for K – 12th
Live, Virtual Social Studies Activities:
Patwin Life (3rd)
Autumn: Acorn Season
Summer: Tule Cordage *hands-on materials required
*Learning Activities with Hand-on Materials Required
To increase engagement and success, several of Discover the Flyway’s live, virtual learning activities require hands-on materials. Click here for a required materials list by learning activity. Upon request, materials for each student can be provided by Yolo Basin Foundation and are included in the flat fee for the activity with the exception of Owl pellets. Owl pellets are an additional $2.00 per student if provided by Yolo Basin Foundation. Materials pick-up must be scheduled in advance. (Delivery to the teacher or a representative within a fifteen-mile radius of Yolo Basin Foundation, is possible.) Teachers can also choose to provide the materials to their students independently of Yolo Basin Foundation. Stations with hands-on materials required are indicated above.
Recorded Learning Activities:
These learning stations are recorded versions of some of Discover the Flyway’s favorite science and social studies activities. The videos are approximately 15-20 minutes each and can be watched as a class remotely or independently by students at any time. Recorded Discover the Flyway Learning Activities are available for viewing through the end of the 2020-21 school year.
- Flat fee: $10 each
- Available after October 1, 2020
Recorded Science Learning Activities:
Introduction to Wetlands
What is a Wetland? (K – 12th)
Wildlife Area Tour (K – 12th)
Animals
Tracks, Scat and Signs (1st – 6th)
Birds
Feathered Friends (K – 2nd)
How do I Compare to an Egret? (K – 1st)
Owl Pellets (4th – 12th) *hands-on materials available per request: owl pellets ($2.00 each)
Land Stewardship
Un-Nature Trail (K – 2nd)
Plants
Leaf Identification (K – 2nd)
Wetland Plant ID (3rd – 12th)
Soil
Sinking into Soil (K – 1st) *hands-on materials available per request
The Great Percolation Race (2nd – 12th) *hands-on materials available per request
Water
Wetland Pond Study (K – 12th)
Recorded Social Studies Unit:
Patwin Life (3rd)
Autumn: Acorn Season
Spring: Salmon Run!
Summer: Tule Cordage
Winter: Valley Villages
Wild About Wetlands Kits
Wild About Wetlands Kits are available to teachers to prepare students for their Discover the Flyway program or to supplement wetland education. Kits include activities and lessons with all materials provided. Teachers or other youth leaders can check out kits FOR TWO WEEKS.
We are also revising some of the activities to a virtual platform. Here is an example http://yolobasin.org/whoseskullisit/
Teachers must pick up and return kits at the Yolo Basin Foundation office. To reserve a kit, email Corky Quirk at cquirk@yolobasin.org.
