This month, 4th graders from Leavenworth to Brewster to Manson to Wenatchee became wildlife biologists for a day, part of Wenatchee River Institute’s new Traveling Naturalist program. Students compared pelts of local wildlife and conducted a “Bone Detective” activity to study mammal skulls and teeth. Each student used their own nature journal to record scientific observations. This exciting hands-on program also needs adult volunteers, so read on to explore ways you could participate.
This monthly program serves 4th grade classrooms with high numbers of low-income and minority students across North Central Washington. Curriculum is focused on structure and function in the natural world and occurs in classrooms and on school grounds. Volunteers work alongside the trained instructors during the one-hour classroom visits.
October, 2019 marked the first month for Traveling Naturalist, Naomi Leibhold, and Field Educator, Elisa Lopez, to teach their first lesson called “What Is a Naturalist?” Naomi explains, In each classroom, we asked students, “Do you know a naturalist?” At first, most students sat quietly, hesitant to raise their hand. We then asked, “Does anyone have a relative who works in the orchard?” Many excited hands would shoot up. Students were excited to view their mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, or grandparents who worked in the orchards as naturalists. “My father is a naturalist because he knows when to water the orchard that he works at!” one student shared.
Naomi warmly welcomes volunteers for upcoming program in March and April, to assist for one hour-long session, or for multiple sessions. After volunteering with Naomi, Wenatchee Naturalist, Caroline Woolmington, reported, I really enjoyed volunteering with Naomi in 4th grade classrooms because not only did I learn more about local animals, but it was so fun to engage with students as they worked together to identify different skulls. Their energy was infectious as they excitedly explained their thinking and celebrate their successes.
If you’d like to learn more about volunteering for the Traveling Naturalist program, contact Naomi Liebhold at nliebhold@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org, 509-548-0181 x6
Traveling Naturalist Dates for March 2020:
3/3 Alpine Lakes Elementary ELL 2-2:45pm
3/4 Morgen Owings Elementary & Manson Elementary 9am-3pm
3/5 Columbia Elementary 8:30am-9:30am, 10:30am-11:30am, 1pm-2pm
3/11 Mission View Elementary 8am-3pm
3/17 Lincoln Elementary 8:30am-noon
3/18 Morgen Owings Elementary 9am-2pm
3/24 Lincoln Elementary 8:30am-noon
3/27 Brewster Elementary, 10am-3pm
Traveling Naturalist Dates for April 2020
4/7 Lincoln Elementary 8:30am-noon
4/14 Field Day at WRI with Columbia Elementary 9am-2pm
4/15 Mission View Elementary 8am-3pm
4/20 Alpine Lakes Elementary ELL 2-2:45pm
4/21 Lincoln Elementary 8:30am-noon
4/22 Morgen Owings Elementary & Manson Elementary 9am-3pm
4/24 Brewster Elementary, 10am-3pm
4/29 Morgen Owings Elementary 9am-2pm