Senior Elementary Homeschool

The Senior Elementary Homeschool Program is designed for students ages 9-11 to delve deeper into the natural world. Alongside experienced naturalists, students will explore habitats including the shore of Lake Michigan, ponds, prairies, and forests. We offer a variety of interactions with nature such as hikes, field data collection, and live animals.

Sessions run the second Thursday of the month from 9:30am-12:00pm, September – May. Please note that this is a drop-off program.

2025-26 Curriculum

FALL

September 11, 2025 | Ponding Through the Year: Fall

Explore the ecosystem of different ponds throughout the year. Learners participate in water testing and learn how to take basic measurements in the field. They will hone their observational and identification skills while studying living and non-living parts of the pond environment.

October 9, 2025 | Great Lake Michigan Water Study

Experience the largest freshwater system on Earth! Discover Lake Michigan’s glacial past and the present-day challenges this system endures. Learners will become citizen scientists and collect data about the lake. We will explore topics such as water pollution and prevention, invasive species, bioaccumulation, and the importance of preserving and protecting the world’s fresh water

November 13, 2025 | The Awesome World of Raptors

Birds are an important part of every ecosystem on Earth. Through hands on activities, outdoor exploration, and games, learners study flight dynamics, adaptations, migration, and more! We will meet our raptor ambassadors as we focus on the role they have in their environment.

Winter

*Winter programming is weather dependent and monthly subjects may vary according to weather*

December 11, 2025 | Predator-Prey Relationships

Examine the interrelationships between predators and prey during winter. While exploring outside we will experience a camouflage trail and look for signs of predators and prey. Learners will also meet one of our animal ambassadors and discover if it’s a predator, prey, or both!

January 8, 2026 | Ponding Through the Year: Winter

Though there’s ice on top of the ponds, life goes on underneath! Learners continue their study of the ecosystem of ponds using the skills they learned in September. We will meet one of our animal ambassadors that can live in the pond and discover how they would have survived winter.

February 12, 2026 | Snowshoeing 101

Explore the beautiful winter setting of our forests, fields, and lake by snowshoe! Weather permitting, learners will strap on snowshoes to explore winter in Wisconsin. We will observe how plants and animals adapt to winter and search for any tracks or traces left behind by active animals.

Spring

March 12, 2026 | The History of Maple Sugaring

We celebrate this time of year by discovering the natural history of maple sugaring. We will focus on the traditions of maple sugaring with a Native American legend and participate in an ethnobotany hike to the wigwam. Learners will also enjoy a tasty treat that has been passed down through generations

April 9, 2026 | Ponding Through the Year: Spring

Spring means new beginnings and the awakening of small creatures living in the ponds. Learners will collect data about the ponds one final time to discover what is swimming underneath. We will conclude this study by comparing and contrasting what they found in all three seasons.

May 14, 2026 | Mycology: The Study of Fungi

Whether we know it or not, fungi bring life to the world around us. We will uncover the mysteries of mushrooms, identify some of Wisconsin’s most common species of fungi, and discuss what makes them so important to our ecosystems. Learners will then get to embark on a hike to find our fungal friends.

Pricing & Registration

A completed student profile, which includes a health history and emergency care plan, is required for each participant prior to registration. New student profiles are required prior to each school year. Students must be 9 years old by the first class of the first session they are enrolling in.

Full Year (September – May)
Member: $200 | Non-Member: $290

Fall (September – November)
Member: $75 | Non-Member: $105