The Wild Classroom

Make a personal connection with our natural world.

Download a 2007 - 08 Wild Classroom brochure (pdf)

The St. Francis Wildlife Association is a local, non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of native wildlife through rehabilitation and public education since 1977. Each year, St. Francis Wildlife rescues approximately 3,500 sick, injured and orphaned wild birds and animals, many of which are victims of injuries or health problems directly related to humans, their vehicles or pets. St. Francis Wildlife provides humane care and rehabilitation for these animals with the goal of returning them to the wild.

Unfortunately, some can no longer survive in the wild due to permanent injuries. The Wild Classroom uses these wild birds and animals to help explain the challenges their species face and to nurture a personal connection with the natural world. By increasing the public's understanding, appreciation and respect for wildlife and the environment, we can begin to reduce the numbers of wild animals who suffer and perhaps improve the world we share.

Raptor Rap
A magnificent hawk, owl, falcon and kite help relate their stories and the important role they play. 1 hour

What You Can Do to Help Wildlife
Native birds and animals help teach students about their species, habitat problems and specific actions we can take to conserve wildlife. 1 hour

Owls: Tigers of the Sky
Three native species ­ the great horned, barred and screech owls ­ teach students about their fascinating natural history. Learn why these highly efficient, nocturnal predators are called "cats on wings" and what we can do to help protect them. 1 hour

Amazing Adaptations
Each species has unique adaptations that enable it to survive. Careful observation can provide insight into an animal's diet and habitat. Animals have also developed many different strategies to avoid predators or to deceive potential prey animals. Students meet and learn about different animals and the challenges they face in our ever-changing environment. Hands-on activities with skulls, bones, feathers and microscopes. 1 hour

Whooo ate Whooom?
Follow Tigers of the Sky or Amazing Adaptations with this popular hands-on workshop. Students learn about an owl's digestive system and the food chain by dissecting an owl's pellets then reconstructing the skeletons of her prey while an owl watches! Lesson plans with interdisciplinary extensions, 3-D rodent models and all materials provided, except pellets. Quality pellets from wild barn owls are available). 1 1/2 hours

Birding Detectives: Bird watching 101

Live birds, a slide show and role-playing teach students how to become Birding Detectives and use clues to identify common Florida birds. They begin a birding journal, learn how to take Nature Notes and use binoculars and field guides. Includes reproducible activity booklet and outdoor bird watching. Read about our Wild Words for Wild Wings project. 2 hours

Wild Poetry

Students' love of animals awakens hidden skills as they try out new poetic techniques and make the connection between observing nature and writing about it. Students meet, learn about and use live animals as motivation for writing and illustrating original poetry.
1 1/2 hours - 2 hours

Snakes Alive!
Meet three non-venomous snakes, learn about their natural history, the adaptations that enable them to survive and how to distinguish them from similar looking venomous snakes. Students get to touch the snakes and examine snake skins with portable microscopes. 1 hour

 

Wild Words for Wild Wings
An interdisciplinary project for the whole school year.

We're flexible! We can also work with you to design a program that is relevant to your group's needs.

Conference Presentations and Teacher Workshops
Since 1991, teachers have raved about our conference presentations and teacher workshops. All programs include live animals, hands-on activities, creative make-and-take sessions and a wealth of classroom-tested interdisciplinary lesson plans that will engage your students, develop critical and creative thinking skills and inspire them to become life-long stewards of our precious natural world. Inservice workshops are presented at your school. Field trips can be arranged. Please contact us for details.

Wild Parties
Looking for a unique theme for your birthday, holiday or office party? In lieu of gifts, request tax-deductible donations to St. Francis Wildlife. We bring wild birds and animals . For a children's party, we also provide exciting hands-on, make-and-take activities.

Schedule a Wild Classroom Program

Contact Sandy Beck, Education Director
Phone or Fax: 850.562.8542
Cell: 850.528.0823
E-mail

Program Fees
Classroom Program, One Class: $75 per hour
Classroom Program, Two Classes or < 50 Adults: $100
Small School Assembly, < 100 Students: $150
Large School Assembly or > 50 adults: $200
Conferences and Teacher Workshops - Fees based on content, time and travel.

Travel
For travel to Wakulla, Gadsden and Jefferson counties in Florida and south of I-84 in Thomas County, Georgia:  Please add $.50 per mile, round trip.

For programs beyond the above areas: Please add an additional $40 per hour for travel time and an additional $100 to the program fee.

Payment
Please make checks payable to The Wild Classroom. Payment is due the day of the program. We can not accept Leon County School POs (because we also teach in LCPS). Fees are used to help care for the Wild Classroom's permanently disabled animals.

Download a Wild Classroom brochure (pdf)

The Wild Classroom

St. Francis Wildlife Association