Ogden Nature Center

Welcome and Introduction

Behavioral Guidelines for visit:

• We are in the animals' neighborhood
• Stay on trails with your group unless taken off trails with class activity
• Leave flowers and plants for animals (don't pick anything)
• Pick up trail treasures to enjoy on-site, but no collecting-leave everything

Animal Tracks-Tracks are a great way to learn about animals without interfering in their daily activities.  When you find tracks, look at: 

Prints (individual tracks, size and shape)

Patterns (arrangement of tracks)-volunteer students move in four basic track patterns by placing their hands and feet over track patterns painted on carpet.

• Walking/trotting (fox, deer)
• Galloping (rabbit, mouse, squirrel)
• Bounding (mink, weasel, ferret)
• Waddling (porcupine) 

Rotations 

1.  Circle Touch Game

• Students hold animal signs such as nests, feathers, chewed logs, etc., and try to guess what they have by touch.  Then they bring it out and share it with the whole class. 

2.  Hike or Snowshoe (if there is enough snow)

• Students look for animal autographs along the trail. 

3.  Classroom Explore

• Hands-on exhibits, live animals, and self-directed games
• Sharp Eyes Game-Students play an observation game, learning to look for little details and thus becoming better trackers. (if time allows) 

Topics are covered by varying degrees depending upon the maturity of students and time constraints.