Out-of-Classroom Excursion Plan

Teachers Name: Miss Mak

School: YRDSB (in Vaughan)
Grade: 4

Location of Field Trip: Mountsberg Conservation Area

Address of Field Trip: 2259 Milburough Line, L0P 1B0
Date of Field Trip: October

Before the Trip

Curriculum Learning Expectations (Science Understanding Life Systems)
2.2 build food chains consisting of different plants and animals
2.5 use appropriate science and technology vocabulary in oral and written communication
3.1 demonstrate an understanding of habitats as areas that provide plants and animals with life necessities
3.2 demonstrate an understanding of food chains
3.3 identify factors that affect the ability of plants and animals to survive in a specific habitat
3.5 classify organisms according to their role in the food chain
Assessment
Record reflection in journal
Skit/presentation to represent interactions of one food chain they wrote down on their trip handout
Individual research project on one of the observed organisms and its habitat factors in Mountsberg
Unit of Study: This trip will take place during the Understanding Life Systems unit of Science.
Learning Experiences: lesson(s)/tasks/strategies to prepare for this trip
Students will have already learned
o Appropriate science vocabulary (habitat, population, food chain, producer)
o Ways in which plants and animals depend on habitat features for their needs
o Factors that affect the ability of plants and animals to survive in a specific habitat
o How habitats have limits to the number of plants and animals they can support
Prior to this trip, possible activities include
o Watching and discussing video clip(s) on another habitat and the community it supports
o Creating food chains using printed photos of various plants and animals in the video
o Creating anchor charts on certain habitats and the needs they can and cannot provide for
o Investigating a common animal and the needs its habitat must meet
o Matching common animals to the habitat anchor charts that they can survive in
Logistics
Principal permission
Trip booked: well in advance
Contact person: 905-854-2276
Departure time: 9:15AM at school lobby
Regroup: 2:15PM at Visitors Centre
Return time: 3:00PM at school lobby
Cost per student: $10 (program: $8.50+tax)
Cost per adult: 1 free per 10 students

Other funding: adults, school bus

Lunch: bring a bagged lunch
Transportation: school bus
Method of payment: cash
Special needs: funding, accessibility
Students medical information
Permission form sent home to parents
Emergency/Safety plan

Note: handicapped students will require more adult assistance on this trip to safely navigate the area.

A list of students going on the trip will be sent to the office prior to leaving the school lobby.
A list of students not going on the trip will be sent to the office, including their location and assigned work.
A photocopy of each of these lists will be made to be brought with the teacher on the trip.
Equipment to Bring
Cell phone
Camera
Video camera
Binoculars

Maps
GPS
Writing paper and handouts
Writing tools

Supervision
Teachers
Volunteer Parents

Support staff for those with special needs

Group Organization
Number of students: ideally 40-50 students
Number of groups: 5-6 students per group
Number of adult leaders per group: 1 adult

Instructions for group leaders

List of students who will need support

During the Trip

10:00AM arrive at Mountsberg Conservation Area
10:15AM participate in the Habitats educational program at Mountsberg (1.5 hour option)
An exploration of plants and animals in a variety of habitats and the adaptations organisms
use to survive. By engaging in the role playing activity Instincts for Survival, students assess
the needs of the community and portray the roles of specific organisms within food chains
(herbivores, omnivores and carnivores). Activities include: Hands- on exploration of 2
different habitats, interactive Instincts for Survival activity.
11:45AM finish the Habitats educational program
12:00PM arrive at the cafeteria (at Visitors Centre building) to eat lunch, go to the washrooms
12:45PM free time for kids to explore the area and fill in their trip handout
There are many places to explore, including the Mountsberg reservoir, New Barn (expected
December 2015), and hiking trails. Throughout Mountsberg, students will be able to see a
variety of habitats (wetlands, forests, fields) and accordingly the numerous plants and
animals that reside within these terrains. It is possible to spot, among other organisms:
songbirds, amphibians, reptiles, waterfowl, wildflowers, fish, dragonflies, elk, free-roaming
rabbits, and even herds of bison! Students will be able to recognize specific animals by
reading some of the educational signs available around the trails.
For fun, students may visit the PlayBarn that includes zip lines, ladders, climbing ropes, and
some farm animals (although these animals will possibly be transferred to New Barn).
Note: handout involves observations of organisms/habitat + info from signs
2:15PM regroup at Visitors Centre to head back to school
3:00PM arrive at school lobby, go to classroom
3:05PM put trip notes away to be used for tomorrow, write reflection in journal

After the Trip

Learning Experiences
Student discussion of things that they saw on the trip; sharing of interesting things they encountered
PowerPoint presentation including photos of animals/plants at Mountsberg: Did you see this?
Gather into small groups:
o Share what they wrote on their handouts and took photos of
o From the list of organisms their group members observed, find a food chain
o Write down food chain and organisms used in this food chain
o Prepare a skit and short presentation to represent this food chain
o Present skit and presentation to the class
Watch class presentations on their food chains
As a whole class, create blog post on class blog about the trip and habitats/organisms observed
Write thank you letter to the supervisors at Mountsbergs education program
Consolidation
Individual research project on one of the observed organisms and its habitat factors in Mountsberg
Cross-Curricular Expectations
Language (writing): research, review, establish distinctive voice, make revisions
Health/P.E.: DPA, demonstrate behaviours and apply procedures that maximize safety
The Arts (drama): engage actively in role play
Resources
About Mountsberg: http://www.conservationhalton.ca/mountsberg
Field Trips at Conservation Halton: http://www.conservationhalton.ca/field-trips-primary-junior
Science curriculum: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/scientec18currb.pdf
YRDSB field trip policies: http://www.yrdsb.ca/boarddocs/Documents/PP-fieldtrips-642.pdf