Introduction
Since 2000, we have provided over 22,000 students in underserved public schools in San Francisco with hands-on and place-based experiences of nature.
Contact Us for more Information
To learn more about our program, or to bring our program to your class, email us at: [email protected].
Contact Us for more Information
To learn more about our program, or to bring our program to your class, email us at: [email protected].
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Learn more about San Francisco Nature Education's school programs: Science and Nature for Underserved Youth (11min50sec)
Duration: 11:50 / Produced by Rick Bacigalupi / Alternate video link / Flash Plug-in |
3rd graders learn how birds fly.
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Through in-class activities and field studies, we develop students’ observation skills, critical thinking, and teamwork. We support and augment the State of California’s Content Standards by teaching students through science, language arts, art, and theater. After participating in our program students are able to identify local birds by sight and sound; have a working knowledge of where and how birds live; are more engaged with their local parks and green spaces; and can express the why and how of environmental conservation.
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Feedback on Our Program
The program aligns with the science standards for 3rd grade and also helps the children improve their writing and literacy skills. The program has been a fun way for children to learn about nature right in the community while meeting these standards. – Mrs. Gini Dold, Principal, E.R. Taylor Elementary School.
I have just completed my 33rd year as a teacher in San Francisco’s public schools. I’ve been on hundreds of field trips and yours is the most organized and meaningful field trip that I have ever had my class participate in. – Kathy Lund, 3rd grade teacher, Jose Ortega Elementary School.
I would like to learn what birds do in each season. I really liked seeing the birds on the field trips. I liked seeing them with the binoculars and my eyes. – Student, Sunnyside Elem. School.
Program Structure
Kindergarten to 2nd Grade
We conduct classroom visits or assemblies focusing on local birds and conservation. Some field trips are available. Materials and information are provided to teachers for post-visit classroom activities.
Detailed program descriptions:
- Kindergarten (.pdf)
- 1st Grade (.pdf)
- 2nd Grade (.pdf)
3rd Grade
Our 3rd grade programming includes hands-on classroom activities and a full set of teaching materials for classroom preparation and follow-up. One in-classroom science class in September or October prepares them for a November field trip to the San Francisco Botanical Garden. A second in-classroom visit in March prepares them for an April or May field trip to observe the nesting great blue herons at Stow Lake.
We maintain a low, one-to-six ratio of naturalists in our class and field visits. On the field trips, each of our students is equipped with his or her own binoculars and a field journal.
For more information, email us at [email protected].
Learn more about our 3rd Grade Program (.pdf)
Bird Calling Contest
The school year culminates in our annual Bird Calling Contest. Teams of students choose a local bird, learn its call and plumage, and make their own costumes. They are also encouraged to pick cool facts about their bird and weave the cool facts into a skit. San Francisco Nature Education naturalists teach the contestants the calls and natural history of the birds.
SFNE has conducted 6 annual bird calling contests for 3rd and 4th graders. Over 500 students have participated in our contests.
View photos from 3rd grade Bird Calling Contest.
View photos from the 3rd Grade Bird Calling Contest.
If your class might be interested, please contact us at 415-205-0776 or email us at [email protected].
The school year culminates in our annual Bird Calling Contest. Teams of students choose a local bird, learn its call and plumage, and make their own costumes. They are also encouraged to pick cool facts about their bird and weave the cool facts into a skit. San Francisco Nature Education naturalists teach the contestants the calls and natural history of the birds.
SFNE has conducted 6 annual bird calling contests for 3rd and 4th graders. Over 500 students have participated in our contests.
View photos from 3rd grade Bird Calling Contest.
View photos from the 3rd Grade Bird Calling Contest.
If your class might be interested, please contact us at 415-205-0776 or email us at [email protected].
Photo Credit Jim Sullivan -John Muir Laws, renowned nature artist, and Ms. Kwan, 3rd grade teacher of winning team-Red Tail Hawks- from Jose Ortega
Elem. School in 2008.