About the geology kit...
Enhance your curriculum with a FREE check-out kit from Willow Bend!
Call for availability and to set up an appointment to pick up the kit of your choice. Kits can be checked out for 2 weeks.
BinoBox (grades 2+): Binoculars and “Science Takes Wing” curriculum from the Audubon Society for birding with students. Complementary in-class program: “For the Birds”
Botany Kit (grades 3+): Activities and hand-outs focus on plant identification for Old Caves Crater area, but can be adapted. Complementary in-class programs: “Alien Plant Invaders” and “Plant Power”
Downtown Flagstaff Geology Kit (grades 3+): Includes map and activities to teach students about local geology through downtown landmarks. Complementary in-class program: “Downtown Flagstaff Geology”
Geology Kit (grades 3+): Activities and hand-outs specifically created for geology at Old Caves Crater but can be adapted. Complementary in-class program: “Rock Talk”
Groundwater Model (grades 4+): Project WET model that complements FUSD FOSS kit.
Pond Study (grades 4+): Contains chemical testing equipment and Project WET curriculum for ponds and lakes. Complementary in-class program: “Water Quality”
Ponderosa Pete (grades 4+): Activities and curriculum for fire ecology studies of local ponderosa pine forests. Complementary in-class program: “Fire Ecology”
Rebar Forest (grades 4+): Recreate your own forest fire! Use the Rebar Forest to model how forest density can affect fire. Complementary in-class program: “Fire Ecology”
Francis Short Pond Check-Out Kits
Thanks to a Heritage Fund Grant, we now offer check-out kits specific to the Francis Short Pond! This curriculum is standards-aligned and can be adapted for other watersheds. All lesson plans are grade or subject specific but can be adapted. Please note that this curriculum is also housed at Marshall Elementary School and Flagstaff High School.
Kindergarten – Water Senses: Using sensory games and activities, students will make observations about the pond. Complementary field trip: “Natural Senses”
First Grade – Aquatic Insects: Students will learn about insects that live in and around the water. Includes materials such as magnifying glasses and insect nets. Complementary in-class program: “Incredible Insects”
Grade 2 – Weather Feelings: Weather, feelings, and senses! Complementary field trip: “Wacky Weather”
Grade 3 – Plants at the Pond: Students will learn about and observe watershed plants. Complementary in-class program and field trip: “Plant Power”
Grade 4 – Water Use in Flagstaff: History of water use and why conservation is important. Complementary in-class program and field trip: “Water Quality”
Grade 5 – Backyard Habitat: Human-made habitats and their benefits.
Grade 6 – Bird-Watching in a Riparian Habitat: Migratory birds, bird calls, binoculars, bird ID, and more! Complementary in-class program: “Mapping Migration”
Middle School Art – Pond Palette: How does the pond create its colors? An introduction to basic watercolor technique.
Middle School English – Writing about Water: See how water has inspired past and present writers. Students will then use water as inspiration for their own writing.
Middle School Science – Water Quality Testing: Includes testing equipment for pH, DO, fecal coliform, nitrates, phosphates, turbidity, and macroinvertebrate testing.
Middle School Social Studies – Water Bill of Rights: Looks at water legislation in Arizona and Flagstaff, comparing it to the Bill of Rights. Students will be able to create their own Water Bill of Rights for the pond.
High School Art – Basket Weaving: Looks at Native American basket-weaving tradition. Students will be able to create their own baskets.
High School English – Water Voices: An in-depth look at the use of water metaphor in writing using past and present examples. Students will use their investigations to write a biography of a classmate.
High School Science – Aquatic Insects: Students will learn how to find and identify the insects of the pond and how to use their findings to understand pond health.
High School Social Studies – Pond Petition: Students will determine a positive improvement for the pond. Skills learned and used: interviewing, surveying, data collection, formulation of a management plan, reporting and presenting findings.