ATTENTION:  TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS, 

and HOME SCHOOLS!  

We offer hands-on, standards-based programs for grades 3rd-5th

760.832.0105 • calisolearning@earthlink.net

We are proud to offer creative, hands-on, natural science presentations that work easily in the classroom or as engaging after school programs. Caliso Learning provides all materials needed for our programs and each is created to integrate CDE state curriculum standards.  Please contact us to receive our current list of available programs with fees.

Nature OUTDOOR   funWORKSHOPS   

Education is going green: more teachers are taking their students outside! Are you? Studies in support of outdoor education have revealed that when students have the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to the natural world—outdoors—it not only makes learning fun, it is a chance to enhance a student’s personal understanding of essential classroom concepts and techniques, and often becomes an experience that stays with them for years to come! Nature study is an individual experience that can foster environmental appreciation and a sense of stewardship for our natural resources while smoothly integrating all subjects incorporated into state/district curriculum standards, alongside art, music, and physical education.  Taking your students outside presents a stimulating learning environment where you can create adventures that will excite and delight students of any age, from toddler to teen. 

Our NATURE outdoor workshops offer quick and easy techniques that focus on natural science & desert ecology; easily adapted to accommodate all ages, kindergarten to adult. Take part in engaging activities that apply simple field-teaching techniques meant to inspire budding ecologists of any age! Each workshop participant will also develop their own nature-based lesson that enhances their personal teaching style and is unique to the interest of their students. Educators will also take home a “getting started nature kit,” including materials ready to go in the field with yo ur class! Ea ch workshop is designed to integrate necessary components of CA state standards for a well-rounded learning experience. After a half day with us, you'll be ready to take it outside! 

H.E.L.P.

Helping the Earth Live with People

Activity lessons designed to raise awareness of human impact on our local habitats by combining classroom skills such as listening, observation, investigation and interpretation, simple graphing, creative writing and more. The following is a sampling of activities that can also be replicated back on campus grounds:

• Trail Tales – a fun, individual activity that challenges keen observational skills as well as trains the eye for picking out man-made items that don’t belong in nature.
• Ecology Wristlet – wearable, make-and-take reminder of the key principles needed for a healthy habitat.         
• Noise vs. Nature – a brief silent hike, followed by a simple experiment discovering the ratio of human-made noise vs. the sounds of nature; contemplating which makes more “noise,” and the possibility of finding a noise-less spot.
• That’s Classified – whether in a natural area, school yard or backyard, you’ll likely find critter homes of all styles, outdoors. Studying animal homes and recording details about their placement, materials, size, shape, etc. then applying that information through some creative alternatives.

   

Eco-Palette 

Lessons in camouflage, color matching, observation, visual storytelling, investigation, life cycles, art, and much more. Lessons can be replicated on school grounds! Activities include but are not limited to:

• Trail Tales – an activity demonstrating camouflage principles in a fun and slightly competitive way!
• ‘Hue See That? and Rainbow Bingo trains young naturalists eyes to recognize ROYGBIV spectrum in nature; differentiating between like hues necessary in identifying more challenging color patterns.
• Ecology Wristlet – a crafty “make and take” to remember key principles of a healthy habitat.   
• Life Cycle Art – elements in creating a simple, yet beautiful leaf life cycle display 

Map Attack!

Fun activities you can replicate on school grounds! Lessons involve listening skills, following direction, mapping, observation, mathematical sequence, investigation, and much more. Activities include but are not limited to:

• Tell-Tale Trail – requires building and interpreting trail signs and symbols, follow directions carefully and you will find your destination!
• Sound Spot – will heighten listening skills while estimating distance, identifying man-made vs. natural sounds; mapping and more.
• Micro-mapping –  mapping on a small scale; using a hand lens to study a small area while mapping features.
• Sign Tracking – follow the route, find the signs; animal and plant tracking observations, scavenger hunt style.

Each workshop:

Length: 4 hours;  9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Fee: $90/person*

Fee includes:

• all workshop materials

• "getting started nature kit" to take home, with tools and/or materials for up to 20 students to get you started with your class right away!

• any entrance fees

• Teacher packet with numerous lessons and activities, homework, individual studies, filler ideas--all outdoor inspired. 

• Snacks and water

*Five (5) or more in your group, receive 25% off each participant!

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES!   

Take your classroom lessons outdoors! Our guided hikes provide a perfect extension for students, scouts and other young naturalists to apply science concepts learned in the classroom to the outdoors. Not only is hiking a wonderful way for your students to apply what they've learned in an entirely different setting, it is often an experience that creates fond memories and appreciation for our vital natural resources. The following hikes are our most popular and are easily adapted to accommodate curriculum specifics for all ages, elementary to adult (with exception to our Fledgling Hikers). 

• Awesome Blossoms  Seasonal wildflower ID and ecology.

• Trail Mix  Interpretive hike that combines plant and animal ecology; Cahuilla ethnobotany and ethnozoology.

• Fledgling Hikers  Specially tailored for toddlers and their parents. Introduce your little one(s) to nature in a safe manner; trail activities will excite and delight! Ages 18 months to 3 years of age, with paid adult.

• Desert Primeval  Discover some of the desert's most ancient plants, with life spans in the centuries, even thousands of years. Plant ID, adaptations and survival.

• Cahuilla Ethnobotany  Ancient Cahuilla plant uses found along the trail.

• Palm Oasis and Dune Ecology  Witness the delicate balance of nature as you explore the heart of a native palm oasis and come face to face with a migrating sand dune.                                                                                                                                

• Critter Clues  "Nature hunt" on the trail for animal clues: adaptations, tracks, scat, burrows, food webs...

• Scorpion Night!  Begin with scorpion natural history--then searching for scorpions using special lights (provided). Earliest start time 5 p.m., 2-hour night program. Available October -- February.

• We can customize a hike that accommodates the interest of your group!

For all hikes above, a flat fee of $100/up to 20 students (teachers and chaperones no charge), please note:

• All packets and materials provided by Caliso Learning, where applicable

• Hikes are interpretive, non-strenuous, about a mile and a half round trip

• Hike rating is easy; hike length is 2 1/2 hours

• One (1) class per guide total limit on all groups for safety, logistics, and environmental impact reasons. 

• We request one (1) chaperone per five (5) students in attendance. For grades K - 2, one (1) chaperone per five (5) students required.

• Caliso Learning educator/ guide will meet your group at the hike site

• You are responsible for transportation arrangements for students and chaperones.

To schedule a class hike (minimum 10 people), or arrange a customized hike please contact Michelle at (760) 832-0105 or calisolearning@earthlink.net

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Thank You

Caliso Learning strives to be a source of reliable information. We believe in the value of sharing quality resources to all who wish to seek it out. We recommend the following sites to help students, educators, scientists, nature enthusiasts--knowledge seekers of all levels and ages to learn a little something new through some of our favorite natural and cultural science related sites. Clicking on links will take you out of the Caliso Learning website. Please check back to explore new additions! Feed your mouse and your brain...

Educational Resources

American Cetacean Society marine mammal resources and activities http://www.acsonline.org/

Bug Guide BugGuide.Net - Insects, spiders, and their kin

Bureau of Land Management Learning Landscapes teacher resources http://www.blm.gov/education/ 

CalPhotos image search http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/ 

CREEC Network: California Regional Environmental Education Community  http://www.creec.org/region10/

Desert USA http://www.desertusa.com/

Discovery School http://school.discovery.com/ 

EEK! Environmental Education for Kids (and teachers) http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/index.htm

Encyclopedia of Life http://www.eol.org/  

FunBrain.com teacher resources http://www.funbrain.com/teachers/index.html

Green Teacher by and for educators; environmental and global education at all grade levels. http://www.greenteacher.com/

International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) education awareness about the intrinsic value of animals and their connection to people http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw/general/

Journey North: global migrations http://www.learner.org/jnorth/

Kid's Astronomy Teacher's Corner; online learning packets and worksheets http://www.kidsastronomy.com/teachers_corner.htm

Lesson Corner has added dynamic math worksheet generators for all grades http://www.lessoncorner.com/worksheets

Lesson Corner Puzzle Makers - http://www.lessoncorner.com/puzzles

Molecular Expressions: worth a visit to watch the now famous "Secret Worlds, The Universe Within;" teacher and student resources can be found as well http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/index.html

Monterey Bay Aquarium ocean resources and activities http://www.mbayaq.org/

NASA hands-on activities http://lunar.arc.nasa.gov/education/activities/index.htm#22    

National Geographic lessons, guides, homework help http://www.nationalgeographic.com/education/

The National Wildlife Federation wildlife resources and activities  http://www.nwf.org/outside/

The National Wildlife Federation download free Ranger Rick materials http://www.nwf.org/kidzone/kzPage.cfm?siteId=3&departmentId=92

The Natural Science Collaborative links to organizations for lessons-activities, field trips and other valuable resources http://www.naturalsciencecollaborative.com/

Ocean Alliance Educating the public about whales and their ocean environment http://www.oceanalliance.org/education/index.html

The Old Farmer's Almanac http://www.almanac.com/

Science "mini-lessons" for high school (9-12) http://yn.la.ca.us/cec/cecsci/sci-high.html       

Skywatcher's Guide to the Moon; printable moon map http://www.space.com/spacewatch/moon_guide-1.html

USGS: Science In Your Backyard: California http://www.usgs.gov/state/state.asp?State=CA

USGS: Real Time Earthquakes http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsus/Maps/special/California_Nevada.php

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FUNtastic Kid's Pages

American Museum of Natural History's OLOGY http://www.ology.amnh.org/

BLM Kid's Corner http://www.blm.gov/education/00_kids/contents.html 

EEK! Environmental Education for Kids http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/index.htm

HHMI Cool Stuff for Curious Kids http://www.hhmi.org/coolscience/ 

IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY (INL) http://www.stoller-eser.com/activity.htm

INL Interactive wildlife matching game http://www.stoller-eser.com/concentration.htm                   

INL Interactive habitat hangman http://www.stoller-eser.com/hangman.htm

Kid's Astronomy Fun Pages   http://www.kidsastronomy.com/index.htm

Monterey Bay Aquarium Kid's Corner http://www.mbayaq.org/lc/

NASA Kid's Home http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/home/index.html

National Geographic KIDS http://www.nationalgeographic.com/kids/ 

National Geographic GEOGRAPHY project  http://mywonderfulworld.org/index.html 

National Security Agency CryptoKids America; math and logic puzzles and activities; codes, ciphers, cryptology  http://www.nsa.gov/kids/ 

National Wildlife Federation Ranger Rick activity page http://www.nwf.org/kids/kzPage.cfm?siteId=3

NATURE Games http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/fun.html   

Science News for Kids! http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org

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