Ology Days
Welcome all inquisitive minds! We offer a different science class each month to our homeschool families. The classes are designed for students in 1st-8th grades, but even younger/older siblings will enjoy the activities. All classes will take place outside, unless we have to cancel do to severe/unpredictable weather. Families will stay together as a unit and rotate to [approximately 6-8] activity stations. Each station will contain detailed instructions and it will be up to the parent/guardian to explain and help their child(ren) with the activity at that station. All activities are hands-on and sometimes quite messy! Should you choose to do all of the activities, you can plan on spending about 2.5 hours at the ranch. Details about each class will be sent out the week before, along with any background knowledge you might need to help facilitate the learning. We encourage you bring a science notebook for recording observations, a writing utensil, water to drink and wear closed-toe shoes at all times.
Cost- $5 materials fee per class, per family unit
Time- *this will vary per month--please pay attention to the registration so you know!* 9am OR 11am-1pm (you must be off of the property by 2pm so we can attend to our afternoon activities)
Registration- Registration opens the 15th of each month before the class; If you cannot attend, you can use the same link to unregister- just sign into your account.
A note about ages and learning experiences...children under the age of 6 should spend most of their time exploring the world around them. We have designed the lessons at LAR to be for readers/writers (6+ years old) that need a more defined lesson to springboard units that could be taught at home. If MOST of your children are under the age of 6 years old, we kindly ask that you to skip the lessons at Long Acres Ranch and go find parks and museums to explore and play! Let us know if you would like some guidance on any of this!
September 9th-11th - Arachnology- The study of spiders. Discover the fascinating world of arachnids by delving into the benefits and potential harms associated with various spider species. We will go on an exciting expedition hunting for spiders in their natural habitats and observe the intricate beauty of their webs. We will also engage in a lively discussion to debunk common myths and uncover surprising truths about these often misunderstood creatures. Prepare to have your perceptions of spiders transformed!
October 7th-9th - Herpetology- The study of amphibians and reptiles. As the weather cools after a hot summer, flowers are blooming, birds are singing, and frogs are croaking! This month, we'll feature live, hands-on examples of reptiles and amphibians, exploring how camouflage and mimicry contribute to their survival and success. We will have fishing as well as a frog dissection this month.
November 4th-6th -Dendrology- The study of trees. Although we do not get to celebrate the fall colors in the south like they experience up north, we can still have some fun with trees! We will learn about how to identify and age trees, the benefits of the different types of trees and do some leaf/tree art.
December 16th-18th - Paleontology- The study of plant and animal fossils. Fossils are not just about dinosaurs! We will take an in depth look at what a paleontologist actually does. Learn about the differences in casts, molds and prints and make an example of one. Try your hand at finding “fossils.”
January 13th-15th- Geology- The study of the earth’s physical structure. All of the earth's landforms depend on what is happening underground and above ground. Pangea, plate tectonics, mountains and volcanoes are just a few examples of topics for the activities we have planned.
February 10th-12th - Toxicology- The study of poisons and how they affect living organisms. Venomous vs poisonous is the topic for this month! Learn how different [natural] poisons affect animals and humans. We will share examples of different plants, animals and even insects that can sting or bite you while out in the wild. Remedies for healing will also be discussed.
March 17th-19th- Ornithology- The study of birds. From beaks to feet, we will look at all aspects of birds. Learn about the predator/prey relationship with our live quail that live on the property. We will also discuss beginning birding and simple ways you can bird as a family!
April 7th-9th - Ecology- The study of the relationship of organisms with each other. Biomes, food webs, populations and carrying capacity are just some of the activities planned for ecology. We will look broadly at habitats and ecosystems but also dive into individual species.
May 12th-14th - Coleopterology- The study of beetles. Did you know that the dung beetle is the strongest beetle in the world? It can pull 1,141x its body weight! That would be like you pulling 6 double-decker buses! This month we will examine different beetles and will do our own experiment with testing beetle strength.
There will be a form to add ALL of your children. You are welcome to bring your littles, please include them on the form so we know who is on the ranch. Call or email if you have any questions. Thanks!