EDUCATOR’S GUIDE - Greensboro Children's Museum

1 1 GCM Educator s GUIDE 2017-2018 EDUCATOR SGUIDE2017-2018 Greensboro Children s Museum and Edible Schoolyard2 GCM Educator s GUIDE 2017-2018 OUR mission :We engage all children and families in hands-on, fun, learning experiences, which contribute to their growth and development through play, creation, outdoor exploration and STEM activities. GUIDING PRINCIPLES: All children deserve equal access to enriching experiences, a healthy start, and a nurturing environment. Children learn through active play and exploration. Creative and critical thinking skills must be practiced and encouraged throughout childhood. Play is the work of US: The Greensboro Children s Museum (GCM) is a hands-on, interactive Museum for children, their families and teachers.

2 The Museum is designed to inspire learning through play in a fun, energetic and safe environment for all children. The 37,000 square foot facility in downtown Greensboro includes over 20 permanent, hands-on exhibits in Our Town and an outdoor Edible Schoolyard that are designed to stimulate children s imaginations and provide educational play experiences. Opened to the public in 2010, The Edible Schoolyard includes a half-acre urban, teaching garden and kitchen classroom. In the Garden, visitors can find new experiences in every season: discover the plants and animals that live here, visit the Fairy Garden, go on a Story Walk, cook a messy masterpiece in the Mud Caf , and much more.

3 Visit our website to learn about our hands-on Cooking School and other programs that focus on fresh, seasonal food, wellness, and outdoor play. 3 GCM Educator s GUIDE 2017-2018 Field Trips4 General Information5 Field Trip Programs Menu8 Preschool Discovery Guide10 Kindergarten Discovery Guide12 1st Grade Discovery Guide14 2nd Grade Discovery GUIDE 16 3rd Grade Discovery GuideGet More at GCM!18 Become a Member19 Cooking School19 Birthday PartiesThis Educator s GUIDE was made possible with generous support from Lincoln Financial GCM Educator s GUIDE 2017-2018 Field Trips at GCMWhat is a Group?The Greensboro Children s Museum offers field trips at a discounted group rate to a variety of community-based organizations and schools including daycares, preschools, day camps, churches, charitable organizations and public and private schools.

4 A group consists of ten or more students. A reservation must be made in advance of your group s visit. 90 Minute Discovery Visit $4 FREE $43 Hour Discovery Visit $6 FREE $6 Field Trip Program $ FREE $ Group Prices vary. Call for details.*Group admission rates are subject to sales and use tax. Advance registration and a contract are required before your visit. Discovery Field Trips are scheduled Tuesday-Friday between Trip programs are seasonal (see page 5 for details).The Museum requires 1 adult chaperone for every 5 Admission*StudentTeacherChaperone5 GCM Educator s GUIDE 2017-2018 Field Trip ProgramsProgramPreKK1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5thProgram LengthSeasonMaximum number of StudentsThe Edible Schoolyard Join us in the Garden as we explore the relationships between people, nature, and food.

5 Students will complete hands-on learning stations incorporating soil science, plants, animals, and a seasonal tasting activity. Stations vary to reflect the seasons and are designed to reinforce grade-level curriculum standards. XXXX45 minsSept NovMar May80 The Edible Schoolyard - 4th & 5th Grade Join us in the Garden as we explore the relationships between people, nature, and food. Students will complete hands-on learning stations incorporating soil science, plants, animals, and a seasonal tasting activity. Stations vary to reflect the seasons and are designed to reinforce grade-level curriculum standards. XX90 minsSept NovMar May40 Little Farmers Experience the wonder of our half-acre learning garden!

6 In this hands-on trip, students will explore the outdoors, participate in seasonal activities, meet the chickens, and complete a five-senses tasting in our kitchen classroom. X30 minsSept NovMar - May60 Power to the People Our Town is looking for local leaders, and your students have the opportunity to take on the job! Within the context of the Museum s play town, students will actively apply the democratic process in local government by role playing leadership roles, participating in a town meeting, and interacting with their constituents. Examine the structure of local government and division of power in a unique and exciting minsNov-Feb90 Outdoor Engineers Join us for a STEM-based exploration of The Edible Schoolyard!

7 In this hands-on program, students will experience the fundamentals of engineering as they build structures, create real bricks using our outdoor brick press, and explore the composition of minsSept NovMar - May80 Shades of Us As young learners prepare to navigate their diverse world, the Shades of Us program serves to help them recognize and celebrate differences. Students will observe traits that make people unique while exploring how individuals work together within communities. X45 minsNov - Feb10 0 Smart Money Our Smart Money program engages students with financial literacy concepts through hands-on application as they differentiate needs and wants.

8 While they role play in our exhibits, students will become workers in Our Town to earn money and make decisions to save and spend. XXX45 minsNov - Feb80 Field Trip ProgramsProgrammed field trips are led by experienced Museum staff. Field trip visits last 3 hours and include exploration in the Museum and time for lunch (PreK - 3rd grade visits).6 GCM Educator s GUIDE 2017-2018 General InformationReady to Book?Call the Field Trip Coordinator at ext 302 or e-mail LOCATIONG reensboro Children s Museum220 North Church StreetDowntown Greensboro , NC 27401 Bus parking is located along the north bound lane of Chruch Street in front of the Museum .

9 Convenient and free parking is available to GCM visitors and Members in our adjacent Museum parking lot. If the lot is full, paid parking is also available along Church Street (parking meters) and across the street in the Church Street Parking St. Parking DeckGCM: Free Parking LotBus Lane7 GCM Educator s GUIDE 2017-2018 DiscoveryGuidesPreschool 3rd GradeDiscovery Visits provide an opportunity to explore the Museum and Edible Schoolyard at your own pace. During a Discovery Visit, you may select which exhibits are most appropriate and relevant for your learners, allowing you to connect to current topics of study and adapt the objectives for the trip to students needs.

10 Teachers and chaperones serve to facilitate learning in the exhibits by modeling, prompting, and questioning students. We encourage you to refer to the following guides for suggestions of North Carolina standards-aligned activities for each grade level. 8 GCM Educator s GUIDE 2017-2018 Preschool Discovery GuideThese guides are designed to meet NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development Approaches to Play and Learning (APL) Emotional and Social Development (ESD) Health and Physical Development (HPD) Language Development and Communication (LDC) Cognitive Development (CD)The Market NC Standards: LDC-2, LDC-7, CD-9, CD-10 Grab a grocery list and a cart, and let the students do the shopping!