Kindergarten School Visit Package. go to torontobotanicalgarden.ca FOR MORE INFORMATION

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1 Kindergarten School Visit Package go to torontobotanicalgarden.ca FOR MORE INFORMATION

2 TEACHER INFORMATION LETTER Dear Teacher, Thank you for choosing Children s Education at the Toronto Botanical Garden! Through hands-on investigations, and guided activities, both indoor and outdoor Kindergarten programs will teach children to be aware of different environments around them, and the importance of caring for the natural world. Outdoor Program If you have chosen the outdoor Kindergarten program (Munchkins in the Garden), the students will engage in finding colours in nature, planting seeds or bulbs, looking at worms, along with other exciting outdoor games and activities. Indoor Program The indoor Kindergarten program (Season Reason) will teach students about the different seasons and how animals and plants survive in the seasons. Students will also learn about patterns in nature by exploring different natural objects and by creating their own patterns. Severe or Dangerous Weather In the event of severe or dangerous weather, an outdoor program will be changed to an indoor program. Severe weather is defined as: Thunderstorms with lightening High winds When temperature and or wind chill indicates -20 degrees C When City of Toronto issues a heat smog alert or humidity alert Pre/Post-visit Worksheets In the package, you will find pre and post-visit worksheets to enhance the learning experience at the TBG. All of these worksheets and activities correlate with the Ontario Curriculum Expectations for Kindergarten. Please ensure that every teacher attending the program receives a package. Self-Guided Tour Information This package contains information about self-guided tours, and activity sheets that correspond to the tours. Please assemble the simple materials needed for the selfguided tour activities Including maps, writing materials, and self-guided worksheets as TBG does not provide these materials. Contact Information If you have any further questions, please don t hesitate to contact us at or In the event of emergency or delay on the day of your visit, please call Thank you for booking your class visit to TBG and we look forward to your visit. All the best, Children s Programs Staff Toronto Botanical Garden

3 TORONTO BOTANICAL GARDEN CHILDREN S PROGRAMS KINDERGARTEN VISIT INFORMATION BEFORE YOU ARRIVE Teachers please sign your contract and fax it back to finalize booking. Fax#: For all outdoor programs, please split each class into 3 groups, including an adult supervisor per group. REFUND AND CANCELLATION POLICY Cancellations must be made at least two weeks in advance. Cancellations must be confirmed by a member of the Teaching Garden staff. If a program is cancelled less than two weeks prior to the scheduled program date, the projected cost of the program must be paid, in full, by the school. AT THE TORONTO BOTANICAL GARDEN 1. ARRIVAL- For Outdoor Program Kindergarten classes should be dropped off at the Bridle Path entrance to Edwards Gardens. Bridle Path is the first residential street West of Leslie Street, which runs behind Edwards Gardens. Turn south off Lawrence Avenue, onto Bridle Path and instruct the bus to park on the right side of the road across the street from the City of Toronto sign for Edwards Gardens (half block south of stop sign, on your left). Cross the street carefully. A TGB teacher will meet you here. ARRIVAL-For Indoor Program A bus drop off area is located in front of the main doors of the Toronto Botanical Garden. There is free parking in the parking lot if you are coming by car. Classes will be met by teaching staff outside the main entrance of TBG at the Arrivals Courtyard. Teachers must also advise the Toronto Botanical Garden staff of any special health requirements (eg. allergies to bees, nuts or asthma, etc.), the location of any special equipment (such as an Epipen), and any prearranged emergency plan. Present payment for the day at this time Contact us at for day-of emergencies or delays 2. SUPERVISION TBG programs require groups attending programs to be accompanied by 1 adult per 5 children to supervise and ensure student safety. Adults beyond this number are required to pay the student registration fee 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto, ON M3C 1P2 Tel Fax

4 Class teachers and supervisors are responsible for class behaviour/ management. Students with special needs must have adequate adult support at all times. Ensure your group has an adult leading and trailing the group. Please refrain from stepping in the gardens, picking flowers or picking within natural spaces. When walking through the gardens and grounds, please use pathways. It is advisable that teachers bring a cell phone for emergencies, however we request that all cell phones be turned off / turned on silence mode during the program. 3. CLOTHING / WEATHER Please ensure children are dressed appropriately for the weather of the day (ie: rain or snow). Adults and children should dress for an active outdoor program by wearing layers and closed-toe shoes. Bring rain gear, hats, water or sunscreen as needed. Outdoor programs will only be moved inside to a classroom in the event of severe or dangerous weather Severe or Dangerous Weather In the event of severe or dangerous weather, an outdoor program will be changed to an indoor program. 4. RESTROOMS There is a wheelchair accessible outdoor washroom at the Teaching Garden. We recommended that children have a washroom visit before the session if possible. School personnel are to accompany children to and from the restrooms. Teaching Garden staff and volunteers are not permitted to accompany children to washroom. There is an indoor restroom located at the main building of the TBG. SNACKS A snack break will be scheduled part way through the program. Snacks will be consumed at the Teaching Garden and schools are encouraged to bring moist wipes or other anti-bacterial cleaning products as there are no hand-washing facilities at the Teaching Garden. We request snacks to be nut and litter free and encourage the use of recyclable or reusable containers. 5. EVALUATION Please help us by completing the short evaluation form at the end of this package, or fill one out on-line at torontobotanicalgarden.ca Help us keep our programs growing! 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto, ON M3C 1P2 Tel Fax

5 Attn: Bus Drivers Kindergarten Drop-Off Location Toronto Botanical Garden Kindergarten classes should be dropped off at the Bridle Path entrance to Edwards Gardens. Bridle Path is the first residential street West of Leslie Street, which runs behind Edwards Gardens. Turn south off Lawrence Avenue, onto Bridle Path and look for the City of Toronto sign for Edwards Gardens on your left (half block south of stop sign). Cross the street carefully. A TBG teacher will meet you there. Note: If the teacher has been notified by the Toronto Botanical Garden staff that it will be an INDOOR PROGRAM, the class will need to be dropped off and picked up at the MAIN ENTRANCE to the Toronto Botanical Garden at 777 Lawrence Street East. Any problems please call

6 TBG SCHOOL PROGRAM CHECKLIST Don t Forget to Bring Litter-free and Nut-free lunches or snacks (If staying for the whole day) Water bottles Sun screen and hats (on sunny, hot days) Comfortable shoes Appropriate clothing for the weather Registration Fee *Can be paid by cheque Attendance sheet Hand sanitizer or hand wipes Directions to the Garden Name tags *Optional: to assist TBG staff Copy of Self-Guided Tour If staying for longer than your program Upon arrival, please Have all teachers identify themselves to our staff Tell our staff the total number of students and adults in the program Make sure that the children have everything they need for the program (See checklist above) *For self-guided tour, make sure that you have all of the required materials, such as pencils and worksheets for the children to complete during the program

7 Welcome to the Toronto Botanical Garden and Edwards Gardens! Toronto Botanical Garden and the City of Toronto are proud of our beautiful gardens and work very hard to keep them that way. We are glad you have come to enjoy the gardens. Please keep in mind, however, that Edwards Gardens is designated as a Formal Garden, and is not a playground, playing field or park, so different rules apply. The TBG, too, is a place where people come for peace and tranquility, and to learn about earth-friendly ways to plant and tend their gardens. While we encourage our visiting schools to make the most of their visit, we thank you for ensuring that your group is courteous to others at all times, and observes proper Garden Etiquette while visiting these special gardens. Please read the following carefully: PREFERRED CONDUCT Be a great representative of your school or centre. Ensure all volunteers with your group are fully versed in the Garden Etiquette codes of conduct. On your visit, keep to the paths or lawn areas. Treat the gardens as a place of quiet reflection and natural beauty. Touch and explore plants gently. Classes should engage in relaxed, academic pursuits such as guided tours, drawing, comparison studies or hikes. Leave sports equipment back at school- thanks! Eating on site takes place only in designated areas and space is limited. Please contact to book indoor or outdoor options. First come, first served. Enjoy viewing the water channel, water curtain and creek from a distance. Wishes are free! (No coins, thanks!) Enjoy climbing the spiral mound on the spiral path only. Enjoy viewing the local wildlife with binoculars, cameras or as subjects for art projects. PROHIBITED CONDUCT Please do not step into the garden beds, climb trees, built structures or walls, or climb the sides of the spiral mound. Do not pick, sample or break off any of the plants, including vegetables or fruits, nor remove any plant labels. Activities requiring balls, frisbees, hoops or other equipment are prohibited. No picnicking outside designated areas. Please do not enter the water channel, fountains or creek. Please keep all items out of the water, ie: coins or garbage. Please do not allow students to touch the fragile water curtain near the TBG entrance. Please do not feed the birds or animals, or harm any living creature that you see. Rough play and foul language will not be tolerated. * Please note that engaging in prohibited conduct may result in groups being asked to leave the garden We thank you for reading and following these guidelines carefully If your class requires a location to let off steam, kindly use the designated Open Field space that is located on your Edwards Gardens map. This space is in the North West corner of Edwards Gardens adjacent to the TBG Teaching Garden. We hope you have a great and inspiring self-guided tour. If you have any questions or need our help, please do not hesitate to ask! Warmly, Children s Education Staff, Toronto Botanical Garden

8 SELF-GUIDED TOUR INFORMATION Meeting Spot

9 Open field Teaching Garden

10 TORONTO BOTANICAL GARDENS AND EDWARDS GARDENS SELF - GUIDED TOUR This self guided tour was created for teachers to tour their class through various interest points in Toronto Botanical Garden and Edwards Gardens. A list of questions has been provided at each stop to assist you in engaging your students in observations and discussion about the landscape SELF-GUIDED TOUR STOPS 1. DEMONSTRATION GARDEN TBG This multifunctional garden is an interactive outdoor classroom with demonstration areas for courses and workshops for both adults and children. Do you think that the plants growing in the shade could also grow in full sun? Could the plants growing in full sun survive if they grew in the shade? How many compost bins are there? Are there different materials in each bin, or are the materials all the same? 2. ENTRY GARDEN WALK TBG Plants for this garden were carefully selected for their form, texture, fall colours and winter silhouettes. The garden was made by Dutch designer, Piet Oudolf. Gently feel the flowers, leaves, stems and soil. Describe how they feel. List three things that this garden reminds you of. Would you normally find gardens like this in the city? What makes this garden different? 3. TERRACE GARDEN TBG The structure of this garden was built from recycled material. The east side of the garden grows plants that can survive in areas with hot temperatures, strong wind, very little water, and high pollution. The west side of the garden grows plants that are popular for Mediterranean gardens and also can survive extreme temperatures, wind, and little water. Can you count how many different types of recycled materials make up this structure? What special characteristics do these plants have to protect them from the hot and dry environment they grow in? Make sure you touch the plants; it may give you a hint. 4. KNOT GARDEN TBG The Knot Garden demonstrates the art of pruning deciduous, broadleaved and evergreen shrubs to create a variety of designs. Toronto Botanical Garden s Knot Garden is different from traditional knot gardens because it uses an abstract contemporary design. Can you count the number of different plants that are used in this garden? How many patterns can you find and/or follow? Can you find Toronto Botanical Garden s spiral mound? Climb the Spiral Mound to take a better look at these designs. 5. SPIRAL MOUND TBG The Spiral Mound rises three meters off the ground and adds an extra dimension to the garden. The mound also gives a full view of the gardens and building. From this height, how many gardens can you see? How many steps did it take you to walk to the top? Does it feel different at the top of the mound? Describe the differences you feel. 6. KITCHEN GARDEN TBG This garden represents Toronto s multiculturalism through plants. Each year vegetables of a particular culture, country or continent are grown with the advice and guidance of a local community. Take a look at the different vegetables that are growing. Can you guess what culture they represent? Can you find a vegetable that you have never seen before? If you had the chance, what vegetable would you be willing to try to eat? 7. WATER CHANNEL TBG The Water Channel was designed to create a feeling of peace and tranquility. The water used to irrigate the gardens is captured rainwater stored in cisterns. Find a place to sit near the Channel and close your eyes. Keeping your eyes closed, use your ears and listen to the water flow. What feelings does this give you? Take a few minutes and allow yourself to have peaceful thoughts.

11 8. GREENHOUSE EDWARDS GARDENS The greenhouses belong to the City of Toronto and are used by city workers to grow plants for the parks all over the city. Tropical plants that cannot survive Toronto s winter weather are kept here during the cold seasons. What do you think the climate is like in a greenhouse? With a friend, make some guesses about how a greenhouse stays warm. Come up with the perfect wardrobe to wear in the greenhouse. 9. THE SHELTER EDWARDS GARDENS The Shelter is built on the space where the Milne Family house use to be. It burnt down in the 1960s and the City of Toronto decided to build this structure in memory of the family that first owned the property 100 years ago. Find a seat in the shelter and image how Edwards Gardens might have looked 100 years ago? What would be different? What might be the same? 10. WISHING WELL EDWARDS GARDENS The Wishing Well is ornamental; however the large black walnut tree is not. The chemicals released by the roots of the tree are toxic to many plants and stunt their growth. Walnut hulls (protective coat around the nut) can leave a stain on your hand that is hard to wash off. Pioneers used the hulls to dye their cloth! Take a few minutes and think of one wish you want to make. Now that you know how toxic the roots of the black walnut tree are, if you were to rename it, what would be its name? Make up a warning sign for plants that may start to grow around the tree. What would your sign say? 11. WILKET CREEK The creek is a tributary (a small stream that flows into a larger stream) of the Don River. Water collected by Wilket Creek eventually flows into Lake Ontario. Rupert Edwards, the creator of Edwards Gardens, built two dams in the creek to pool the water creating a water hazard on his golf course. There are signs asking patrons not to feed the birds. Why shouldn t we feed the wild birds around the creek? What furry mammals naturally change their habitat altering waterways in the process? Pretend you are a beaver. Find a tree that you would want to chew down to use for your dam or lodge. Why? 12. WALKING PATH Follow this path over the bridge into the ravine. While walking down the path, keep an eye out for evidence of animals: from birds to small mammals you might just see a furry or feathered friend. Can you spot three different types of animals? What are they? Look at the water when you are on the bridge. Why is the water choppy on one side and smooth on the other? Do you see any trees that are growing in unusual ways along the edges of the creek? Why do you think they are growing like this? 13. RAVINE The valley is wide and u-shaped; it was carved out by advancing glaciers during the ice ages. On the high bridge towards the parking lot there is a sharp, V shaped ravine created not by ice, but by humans. Rain water from heavy storm run-off from surrounding parking lots and school yards has eroded the soil here, carving out the deep valley below. What liquid, other than rain, could run into the ravine from the parking lot? Do you see any other signs of human damage? What actions can we take to protect our ravine from human?

12 KINDERGARTEN SELF GUIDED ACTIVITIES Welcome to the Toronto Botanical Garden. Today you are going to explore the flowers, trees and animals in and around our garden. Get ready to use all your senses to complete the following activities. MATERIALS NEEDED: - Pencils - Crayons without paper sleeve - Blank sheet of paper - Something hard to write on ACTIVITY ONE: TREES (Activity to be completed in the gardens of the Toronto Botanical Garden) For this activity pick ONE tree and answer the following questions. 1. What colour(s) is your tree s trunk? (Circle one) Red Green Brown Grey Orange Black White 2. Draw the different shapes you can find in your tree. 3. How does your tree smell? (Circle one) Wet Fresh Yummy Rotten Perfume No Smell 4. How does your tree feel? (Circle one) Soft Prickly Rough Delicate Smooth Bumpy Not sure 5. Draw a picture of an animal that might live in your tree. A A Lawrence Lawrence Avenue Avenue East, East, Toronto, Toronto, ON ON M3C M3C 1P2 1P2 T T F F E childrensed@torontobotanicalgarden.ca E childrensed@torontobotanicalgarden.ca W W torontobotanicalgarden.ca torontobotanicalgarden.ca

13 ACTIVITY 2: BARK RUBBING (Activity to be completed within the Ravine) Bark is the skin of a tree it has many layers and tissues. As the trunk of a tree grows in width, the tissues lose their supply of nutrients and water. The tissues separate from the inner layer and become rough. Today you are going to make a print of tree bark. For this activity you must get up close and personal with a tree. Choose a tree and have a friend hold your paper against the bark. Using the length of the crayon (not the tip), rub it back and forth until you have the image of the bark on your paper. Answer the following questions: 1. How does the bark feel? 2. What does the bark remind you of? 3. Try to guess the name of the tree 4. Draw a picture of your whole tree:

14 MUNCHKINS IN THE GARDEN AND SEASON REASON Kindergarten- Science and Technology Pre-Visit Lesson Plan Objectives: Students will know how to describe some natural occurrences and cyclical changes of seasons and demonstrate an awareness of local natural habitats. Materials: - worksheets - Our Seasons by Grace Lin ISBN posters showing four seasons - A big cardboard box and some items (or pictures). Item suggestions: tulip or daffodils, falling leaves, green and fresh leaves, butterflies, pumpkin, etc. Lesson: (15-20 minutes) Read the book Our Seasons to the students. Before: Briefly ask the students to give the names of four seasons. Pay attention to those who mention Autumn instead of Fall. Both of these two words are correct. During: Read the book and show children the pictures in it. After: Ask questions like: What does Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter look like? Sound like? Feel like? Taste like? Smell like? What do we usually do in the Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter? What season are we in now? How do you know? Activity: 1. Game Magic Box (15 minutes) Prepare some items/ pictures and put them in the box. Seal the box but cut out a circle on the top big enough for one child to put a hand in and take out one object. Put the box along with the posters of four seasons on the carpet. Ask students to sit in a circle and get volunteers to pull out one object a time. Ask the child in which season this object is mostly seen. Put the object on the right poster. 2. Have the children colour a worksheet of the current season (10 minutes) Closure: Praise students for their excellent work. Tell students they will visit TBG very soon. They will have a chance to be detectives and find out signs of the current season. They will also have a chance to meet their friends in the nature.

15 Name Date What season is this?

16 Name Date What season is this?

17 Name Date What season is this?

18 Name Date What season is this?

19 MUNCHKINS IN THE GARDEN AND SEASON REASON Kindergarten- Science and Technology Post-Visit Lesson Plan Objectives: Students will have a solid understanding regarding natural occurrences and cyclical changes of seasons and demonstrate an awareness of local natural habitats. Students will have a better knowledge on how seeds grow through planting and observing. Materials: - worksheets - Wormy Worm by Chris Raschka ISBN X - glass jar - black construction paper - soil - a variety of seeds - knife, tape and glue Note: This lesson will take one class period to begin and about two weeks daily observation sessions. Lesson: (10-15 minutes) Read the book Wormy Worm to the students. Before: Ask students to say something about the worms they saw at TBG. Some cues: How long is a worm? Where do they live? Do they have eyes, ears or noses? What do they eat? What do they produce? Do they like being put in a dry place? It is OK if the kids cannot answer all the questions. Please remind them to focus on the book. During: Read the book and show children the pictures in it. After: Ask students if they learned more about worms. Also ask them why we should not hurt worms. Activity: (25-30 minutes) 1. Draw a worm in the picture frame on the worksheet. Cut and paste its favourite food. (15 minutes) 2. Sing and play - A Little Wiggly Worm (sung to "I'm a Little Teapot" and add actions when necessary) (5 minutes)

20 I'm a little wiggly worm. Watch me go! I can wiggle fast, or very very slow. I wiggle around, then back I go. Down into the ground, to the home I know. 3. Plant and observe (10 minutes for planting, observation will take about two weeks) Begin by briefly going over the three essential needs for seeds to grow -- soil, water and sunlight. Fill the glass jar with soil and put a couple of seeds in the soil, right against the inner wall of the jar. So when the plant begins to grow, the roots will grow against the wall. Make a cylinder with the black construction paper and cover the jar with the cylinder. Before the seeds sprout, always keep the jar covered unless for observation. On a daily basis, allow students to remove the paper cylinder and observe the growth of the seeds. After the seeds sprout, the paper cover can be removed. Closure: Praise students for their excellent work. Tell students they have to be very patient for the seeds to sprout. Remind students after each viewing they should make sure to cover the glass jar with the paper cylinder until most seeds sprout.

21 Name Date I m a Little Wiggly Worm Please draw Me in the picture frame. I m so hungry! Please cut and paste my favourite food on the plate. Thank you!

22 CHILDREN S EDUCATION TORONTO BOTANICAL GARDEN Program Evaluation Grade & Program: Date: AM or PM School/Group: 1. How did you hear about Children s Programs at TBG? (Check all that apply) TBG Visit Brochure Website Colleague Media Phone call Principal Other 2. On a rating of 1 to 5 stars (5 = excellent), how did you find: (Please circle) Student engagement? Curriculum connections? Instructor knowledge and enthusiasm? Booking and confirmation of your program? Length of program? Usefulness of Teachers Package? 3. Did the program meet your expectations? Yes No

23 4. Are you interested in attending Children s Programs at TBG again? Yes No 5. Would you recommend Children s Programs to other teachers? Yes No 6. What type of documents would you like to see included in the Teachers Package? 7. Do you have any suggestions for changes or additions to the program? 8. What program elements are essential, in your opinion? 9. Would you like to be on our mailing list? Yes No PLEASE SUBMIT FORM AT END OF PROGRAM OR FAX EVALUATION TO Thank you for your time. Your feedback is important to us.