Pathfinders Academy

Living Creatures and Earth's Treasures

Days: Mondays

Time: 9:15 AM - 10:45 AM

Location: Pathfinders Learning Lab (217 North 10th Street, Santa Paula, CA)

Program Description: 

This program incorporates hands-on learning, field trips, and art into the curriculum, fostering curiosity and observation skills in young students. Our choice of topics allows for a diverse exploration of the natural world. Scholars will embark on a captivating semester-long journey as they explore the wonders of the natural world in our "Living Creatures and Earth's Treasures" series. In the first three weeks, young minds will delve into the enchanting realm of Living Creatures, where they will focus on the animal classification system, habitats, and adaptations as well as ecosystems and food webs. The subsequent weeks unfold thematic adventures, starting with a dive into the aquatic world with Fish and Amphibians, featuring an exciting outing to observe fish at Fillmore Trout Hatchery. The series then is followed by an in-depth focus on Birds and Mammals. Engaging activities, such as creating figurines and painting mammal dioramas, will complement the lessons on bird behavior, nesting habits, mammal lifestyles, and classification. Finally, the course concludes with an exploration of Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils, offering the hands-on experiences of crafting ceramic pendants and participating in a “fossil” excavation. Join us on this educational voyage, where your child's curiosity will be sparked, and their understanding of the natural world will flourish.

Living Creatures (Weeks 1-3)

Week 1 (1/15/24): Animal Classification

Learn about the major animal groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, etc.)

Week 2 (1/22/24): Habitats and Adaptations and life cycles

Understand how animals adapt to their habitats. Explore animal life cycles (e.g butterflies, frogs), and create an animal life cycle. 

Week 3 (1/29/24): Ecosystems and Food Webs

Discover what ecosystems are and their components. Explore how animals and plants are interconnected in ecosystems.

Possible Art Activity: Create a pastel animal classification chart or create a pastel drawing or watercolor of an ecosystem or food web with various animals and plants.

Living: Fish and Amphibians (Weeks 4-6)

***Week 4 (2/5/24): Introduction to Fish

***Observational Outing: Visit Fillmore Trout Hatchery to observe fish*** 

(612 E. Telegraph Road, Fillmore, CA)

Learn about the life cycle and ecosystems of the Rainbow and Brown Trout.

Week 5 (2/12/24): Fish Classification, Habitats and Adaptations

Learn about the unique features of fish and different fish species and learn to classify fish into different groups (e.g., freshwater, saltwater) and explore the diverse habitats of fish and how they have adapted to them.

Week 6 (2/26/24): Amphibians

Explore the key characteristics of amphibians, and understand the life cycle of amphibians.

Possible Art Activity: Create ceramic sculptures of fish from a favorite classifications or create a pastel underwater scene of a habitat for favorite fish or amphibian.

Living: Birds (Weeks 7-9)

***Week 7 (3/4/24): Introduction to Birds

***Observational Outing: Field trip to the local public aviary at Steckel Park***

(8080 Mistletoe Rd, Santa Paula, CA)

Learn about the characteristics of different species of birds.

Week 8 (3/11/24): Bird Behavior and Habitats

Explore bird behavior, nesting habits, and the different habitats they live in.

Week 9 (3/18/24): Bird Classification

Learn how to classify birds into different groups (e.g., songbirds, raptors).

Possible Art Activity: Create pastel drawings of birds in their natural habitats or craft ceramic bird figurines representing various bird types.

Living: Mammals (Weeks 10-12)

Week 10 (3/25/24): Introduction to Mammals

Discover the key characteristics of mammals and explore different species.

Week 11 (4/8/24): Mammal Lifestyles

Explore the diverse lifestyles of mammals (e.g., nocturnal, diurnal).

Week 12 (4/15/24): Mammal Classification

Learn to classify mammals into groups (e.g., carnivores, herbivores).

Possible Art Activity: Paint a mammal diorama with watercolors, representing their different habitats and behaviors or create ceramic sculptures of mammals from a favorite classification.

Non-Living: Rocks and Minerals (Weeks 13-15)

***Week 13 (4/22/24): Introduction to Rocks and Minerals

***Observational Outing: Visit Steckel Park to observe rocks and minerals***

(8080 Mistletoe Rd, Santa Paula, CA)

Learn about the rock cycle and how rocks change over time.

Week 14 (4/29/24): Types of Rocks

Explore the three main types of rocks (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic). Discover how rocks and minerals are used in daily life.

Week 15 (5/6/24): Fossil Exploration

Learn about the process of fossilization, and appreciate the significance of fossils in reconstructing Earth's ancient ecosystems including the ecosystems of some Dinosaurs!! Participate in a “Fossil” excavation and create fossil rubbings.

Possible Art Activity: Craft ceramic pendants using rocks and minerals.

*Schedule subject to change*