Virtual Field Trips! Learn something new at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP PACKAGES

These free virtual field trip packages are designed to inspire students to connect with nature through observation and inquiry. By encouraging interaction with the natural world, we hope students will achieve the Virginia Standards of Learning objectives covered and be inspired to protect Earth’s precious natural resources. Virtual Field trips are made possible in part by the City of Richmond.

There are various packages to choose from designed for various ages, from preschool to middle school. Each one focuses on a different topic, but they all offer an educational video, hands-on activities, and additional resources.

If you have difficulty accessing these programs or have any comments or feedback, please do not hesitate to contact us by email: lauraleef@lewisginter.org or phone: 804.262.9887 x322.

SPROUTS IN SPRING
PRE-K - KINDERGARTEN

DESCRIPTION

In Sprouts in Spring, students discover early signs of spring. They observe buds emerging from bare branches and colorful flowers bursting from garden beds. This program meets the following Virginia Public Schools Standard of Learning Science Objectives updated in 2018: K.1, K.2, K.4, K.6, K.7, K.9, K.10, K.11. It also meets Virginia’s Foundation Blocks for Early Learning updated in 2013, including Science Block 5: Life Processes, Science Foundation Block 7: Earth Patterns, Cycles, and Change, Literacy Foundation Block 2: Vocabulary, Math Foundation Block 1: Number and Number Sense, Math Foundation Block 3: Measurement, and Math Foundation Block 4: Geometry.

TREE TRAFFIC
PRE-K - KINDERGARTEN

DESCRIPTION

In Tree Traffic, animal tracks, empty nutshells, and lost bird feathers are examples of the clues used to find winter tree travelers. Let’s take a walk to engage our senses while exploring how plants and animals depend on trees. Grab a bag to collect some natural materials and tree debris. This program meets the following 2018 Virginia Public Schools Standard of Learning Science Objectives: K.1, K.3, K.5, K.7, K.9. It also meets Virginia’s 2013 Foundation Blocks for Early Learning, Literacy Foundation Block 2, and Science Foundation Blocks 1 and 3.

GARDEN BIRDS
PRE-K - KINDERGARTEN

DESCRIPTION

In Garden Birds, students discover why plants are important to birds. Additionally, they learn where birds live, what they eat, and how they raise their babies. Students observe how to craft a nest using natural materials and a brown paper bag. This program meets Virginia’s Foundation Blocks for Early Learning that were updated in 2013, including Literacy Foundation Block 5 and Science Foundation Blocks 5, 6, and 7.

GARDEN EXPLORERS
PRE-K - KINDERGARTEN

DESCRIPTION

In Garden Explorers, sights, sounds, scents, textures, and tastes come alive through sensory exploration of the Garden. This program meets the following 2018 Virginia Public Schools Standard of Learning Science Objectives: K.1, K.3, K.5, K.7, K.9. It also meets Virginia’s 2013 Foundation Blocks for Early Learning, including Literacy Foundation Block 2 and Science Foundation Blocks 1 and 3.

TROPICAL TREASURES
KINDERGARTEN

Description

In Tropical Treasures, students investigate the life processes of tropical plants and domestic plants. They view a globe to locate countries near the equator and compare local seasons to tropical weather. This program meets the following 2018 Virginia Public Schools Standard of Learning Science SOL objectives: K.7, K.8, K,9, K.10, K.11 and the history and social science SOL objectives: K.5, K.6, K.7. It also meets the following 2013 Virginia Department of Education Foundation Blocks for Early Learning Objectives: science foundation block 5 & 7 and history and social science block 3.

TREE TRAITS
KINDERGARTEN -
2ND GRADE

Description

In Tree Traits, students take a virtual journey to discover a variety of deciduous trees and evergreens. They examine the parts of a tree, including roots, trunks, and leaves. Students also learn about the amazing ecosystem services and products that trees provide. This program meets the following 2018 Virginia Public Schools Standard of Learning Science Objectives: K.1, K.3, K.5, K.7, K.9, 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.8, 2.1, 2.4, 2.5, 2.8

SMALL SPROUTS TO GARDEN GIANTS
1ST GRADE

Description

PLANTS, WHAT GOOD ARE THEY?
2ND GRADE

Description

NEW! SURVIVING THE WINTER
2ND - 4TH GRADE

Description

In Surviving the Winter, students discover how plants have adapted to survive subfreezing temperatures and why some trees lose their leaves. Additionally, they will investigate why animals make homes underground using experimental practices. Students will get a glimpse into a fascinating animal adaptation and have the chance to explore how it works with a fun activity. This program meets the following 2018 Virginia Public Schools Standard of Learning Science SOL objectives: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.4, 2.5, 2.8, 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, & 5.1

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NATURE OF THE POWHATAN
2ND - 5TH GRADE

Description

In Nature of the Powhatan, students investigate how Eastern Woodland Native Americans used the natural resources of wetlands, rivers, and forests to survive. This program meets the following 2018 Virginia Public School Standard of Learning Science Objectives: 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 3.5, 3.8, 4.3, 4.8. This program also meets the following 2015 Virginia Public Schools Standard of Learning History Objectives: 2.3, 2.7, 2.8, 2.10, 3.8, VS2, VS3

ROOTED IN SOIL
3RD - 4TH GRADE

Description

In Rooted in Soil, students consider the needs of plants in their ecosystems. They explore how soil supports and nourishes plants by observing hands-on activities that they can repeat at home or school. They also discover the importance of decomposers in their ecosystems by examining a compost bin and learning about a simple way to make their own. This program meets the following 2018 Virginia Public School Standard of Learning Science Objectives: 3.5, 3.6, 3.8, 4.2, 4.3, 4.8

AMAZING ADAPTATIONS
3RD - 4TH GRADE

Description

WATERSHED WONDERS, PART 1
3RD - 7TH GRADE

Description

WATERSHED WONDERS, PART 2
3RD - 7TH GRADE

Description

URBAN FORESTRY
3RD - 8TH GRADE

Description

In Urban Forestry, students explore the countless benefits trees provide to Earth’s ecosystems as they produce their own food through photosynthesis. Students are asked to observe a tree in their neighborhood or schoolyard by identifying it, measuring its circumference, and determining its condition. This data can be put into an easy-to-use online program called iTree Design which calculates the eco-services specific trees provide. This program meets the following 2018 Virginia Public Schools Standard of Learning Science Objectives: 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8, 4.2, 4.3, 4.8, 5.9, 6.9, LS.4, LS.5, LS.7, LS.8, LS.9, ES.6

TALLYING UP TREES
4TH - 5TH GRADE

Description

In Tallying Up Trees, students learn how to use math and geometry to answer practical and scientific questions. Students use triangles to estimate the height of trees and circles to calculate the diameter at breast height and learn to calculate the average of a set of measurements to find the crown spread of trees. These practical applications bring math lessons outside anywhere there are trees. This program meets the following 2018 Virginia Public Schools Standard of Learning Science Objectives: 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8, 4.2, 4.3, 4.8, 5.9; and Math Objectives: 4.3, 4.4, 4.6, 4.8, 4.10, 4.11, 4.16, 5.1, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.9, 5.10, 5.12, 5.13, 5.19

ID A TREE
4TH - 7TH GRADE

Description

Learning to notice similarities and differences in biological characteristics is a key step to formulating scientific questions. In ID a Tree, students observe basic tree characteristics. With this knowledge in hand, students learn to use a dichotomous key to identify trees. This program meets the following 2018 Virginia Public School Standard of Learning Science Objectives: 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.8, 5.1, 6.1, LS.1, LS.3, LS.7

NEW! VIRTUAL TEACHER WORKSHOPS

Gain ideas for enhancing your curriculum through nature-based learning and learn effective outdoor teaching techniques by registering for a FREE Garden Teacher Workshop.

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CHECK OUT OUR CHILDREN'S GARDEN CHECK-INS AND OTHER VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING FOR ALL AGES

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