Outdoor Classroom
Outdoor Classroom
The Cibolo Nature Center offers an outstanding outdoor classroom program for schools in the public and private sectors as well as home school groups.
Our curriculum for grades K-8 emphasizes conservation of natural resources, addresses science processes and concepts and is fully aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Along with science, our curriculum also integrates math, reading, writing and social studies. All are taught through a variety of activities that appeal to a wide range of learning styles.
The Outdoor Classroom is made possible through the dedication of volunteer outdoor classroom guides who are under the supervision of two Texas certified science teachers with over 35 years of combined teaching experience. For each group of 40-60 students, we provide four trail guides, who lead four different activities that teach to the selected curriculum topic. The 30-minute activities are divided into four consecutive rotations to help focus the children's attention and energy on their outdoor learning experience.
We require four adult chaperones, one for every 10 students, but more adults are welcome. Chaperones help with some group activities and walk their group from one rotation activity to the next.
CNC Outdoor Classroom programs are offered from 9:30 a.m. to noon; Monday - Friday, September - November and February - May. Cost is $4 per person (due upon arrival) and teachers are free of charge. Scholarships are available for qualifying schools.
We have restroom facilities, water fountains and full handicap access to the nature center. Feel free to stay for lunch at the picnic tables in our covered pavilion!
For further information or to schedule a visit, contact Mary Gomillion at 830-249-4616 or email at education@cibolo.org. Fall and spring programs fill up fast so register early!
2006 - 2007 CNC Outdoor Classroom Curriculum
Grades K-2
Exploring Nature (TEKS: Explore with your senses; natural resources)
Marsh Critters
Insect Hunt
Owls and Crows Game
Black Bags
Birds and Bugs (TEKS: Observe and identify; properties and patterns)
Rainbow Chips
Bird Beaks
Marsh Madness
Mini-beast Treasure Hunt
Habitat is Home (TEKS: Observe and describe; basic needs)
Marsh Critters
Cibolo Prairie Walk
Fantasy Trail
Thicket Game
Plants (TEKS: Explore and observe; patterns and relationships)
Habitat Walk
Chlorophyll Play
"Eat Me Not" Treasure Hunt
Owls and Crows Game
Water Means Life (TEKS: Explore and observe; natural resources)
Creek Critters
Migration Headache Game
Let the Cattail Out of the Bag
Trouble at the Marsh
Dinosaur Discovery (TEKS: Compare and contrast; change through time)
Dino Facts Game
Dino Walk and Talk
Animal Skulls Examination
Dino Drawing
Grades 3-5
Cibolo Survival (TEKS: Predict and draw conclusions; adaptations for survival)
Survival of the Alien Plays
"Eat Me Not" Treasure Hunt
Buffalo Babies Game
Water Bug Survival
Earth Keepers (TEKS: Describe and compare; changes occur in cycles)
Soil Analysis Experiment
Nature Cycles/Recycles
Trolleys Challenge
Before and After Reclamation
Wetlands (TEKS: Observe and predict; natural resources)
Marsh Reclamation
Marsh Critter Collection
Migration Headache Game
Let the Cattail Out of the Bag
What About Water? (TEKS: Observe and collect information; past, present, future)
Marsh Walk and Wonder
Water Cycle/Erosion Connection
Watershed Map Reading
Drought Trolleys
Dinosaurs and Geology (TEKS: Observe and draw conclusions; change through time)
Track way Exploration
Geology Hike
Dino Trolleys
Cypress See and Draw
Ecosystem Tour (TEKS: Explore, observe, record; ecosystems and natural resources)
Woodland Trolleys
Ethnobotony Walk
Marsh Critter Collection
Creek side Poetry
Grades 6-8
Studies in Biodiversity (TEKS: Problem solving; systems and equilibrium)
Prairies/Marsh Poetry
Wildflower Treasure Hunt
Poison River Challenge
Creek Invertebrate Survey
Watershed Conservation (TEKS: Investigate properties; interdependence, cycles)
Creek side Poetry
Poison River Challenge
Test Water Quality
Invertebrate Survey
Solve Cibolo Dilemmas
