Classroom Programs for Grades PreK-K

Preschool Discovery Days

This fun-filled, 2-hour exploration will increase preschool student's awareness of the natural world through storytelling, craft making, game playing, and small animal interactions. Time will be spent with Zoo staff both in the classroom and on Zoo grounds. Lessons and activities conducted during this program are aligned to the state-mandated Early Learning Content Standards.

Program times:

• Programs will be offered on Fridays at 9:30 a.m.
• Cost: $125/program (maximum 25 students per program)
  We offer a limited amount of programs for free. In order to qualify as a scholarship group, you must be part of a Head Start program or 30% of the students at your school must be eligible to receive a free lunch. Scholarships are available only to schools in Cuyahoga County or Hinckley Township.

Classroom Programs for Grades 1-3

A Zoo Book will be provided to all students in programs for grades 1-3. While the books can be used anywhere, they are designed to engage students while they are still observing animals at the Zoo. For a preview, download the Zoo Book in pdf format (1MB).

Habitats (For students in grades 1-2)

This 1-hour habitat study provides students with the opportunity to investigate the components of a habitat and explore how students can make a difference for the future for wildlife. Pre-and post-trip activities are available in the teacher packet (PDF download).

Fur, Feathers and Scales (For students in grades 2-3)

Study the differences among mammals, reptiles, birds, and fish, and explore in 1 hour how students can make a difference for the future for wildlife. Pre-and post-trip activities are available in the teacher packet (PDF download).

Program times

• Programs will be offered on Monday-Thursday at 9:45 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 1 p.m.
  NOTE: School groups that register for the Zoo Bus will automatically be assigned a program time: the 9:15 bus passengers will be assigned the 9:45 program; the 10:45 bus passengers will be assigned the 1:00 program. The 11:15 program will be offered to the first school to register for the day.
• Cost: FREE!

Self-guided Explorations for Grades 4-6

For the 2008-2009 school year, we will be making some changes to this programming as a result of teacher feedback and observations of how students work with the materials. These activities are not led by Zoo staff, so we will provide better instructions and place an increased emphasis on capturing student interest so that they drive the explorations and learning. We are excited to present this enhanced opportunity next fall.

Vet Bags (with grade appropriate enhancements) at the Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine

Students have hands-on access to veterinary bags stocked with tools of the trade while participating in this role-playing activity. "Zookeepers," "vets," "veterinary technicians" and others will work collaboratively to determine the health problem and course of treatment for their "patient." Pre- and post-trip activities, which will round out the student's exploration of zoo careers and the complexities of zoo management, are included.

Exploration times:

• Vet Bags (with grade appropriate enhancements) will be reserved for your students' self-guided exploration on Tuesday-Thursday at 12 noon.
  NOTE: School groups larger than 30 students will be split into two smaller groups to allow for optimum student exploration. The 9:15 Zoo Bus passengers will be assigned 10:30 and 12:00 noon exploration times; the 10:45 Zoo Bus passengers will be assigned 12:00 noon and 1:30 exploration times.
• Cost: FREE!

Self-guided Explorations for All Ages

Vet Bags at the Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine

Students have hands-on access to veterinary bags stocked with tools of the trade they can use while touring the exhibit. Take a look inside our surgery and treatment rooms to learn what goes on behind the scenes at the Zoo!

Exploration times

• Vet Bags for self-guided student explorations will be available on a first-come, first-served basis on Monday-Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Cost: FREE!

Program development and implementation for this program was provided by the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust; the William J. and Dorothy K. O'Neill Foundation, Inc. and; the Rockwell Foundation.

Rates and Reservations | Zoo Bus | Student Activities