Education Programmes
Education Coordinator Hired!
We are happy to announce the appointment of Natalie Campbell to the position of Education Coordinator.
Natalie comes to Ruthven Park with a Master's in Education and experience working at a variety of historic sites.
Interactions in the Environment: Species at Risk
Ruthven Park is home to approximately 15 different species of flora and fauna at risk of extinction. Learn what has caused these species
to be labeled as 'at risk`, and discover what can be done to help protect their habitat. Use GIS and GPS technology, and become stewards
for the environment.
Curriculum Links:
- Grade 7 Geography - The Themes of Geographic Inquiry
- Explain the geographic concept of interaction
- Create and use maps for a variety of purposes
- Grade 7 Science and Technology - Understanding Life Systems: Interactions in the Environment
- Describe the transfer of energy in a food chain
- Describe ways in which human activities and technologies have altered balances and interactions in the environment
Programme Length: 2 Hours
Programme Offered: Spring/ Fall
Cost: $4.00 per student. Educators and adult supervisors are admitted FREE of charge.
Booking: Call 905-772-0560 for reservations
Helping Hands
Ruthven Park is home to many different types of plants and animals. Join us as we explore the butterfly meadow,
bird banding lab, and species at risk on the site. Learn how to help the environment, and make a special bird house to take home!
Curriculum Links:
- Kindergarten - Science and Technology
- Students will demonstrate an awareness of local natural habitats through exploration and observation
- Kindergarten - Physical Education
- Students will participate actively in creative movement and other daily physical activities
Programme Length: 2 Hours
Programme Offered: Spring/ Fall
Cost: $3.00 per student. Educators and adult supervisors are admitted FREE of charge.
Booking: Call 905-772-0560 for reservations
Christmas in Conflict: 1914-1918
Step back for a moment of silence to remember and honour those who fought in the trenched during World War I.
Experience how Christmas was celebrated on the Thompson estate before WWI, and discover how this war impacted
the lives of the Thompson family and many other Canadian. Learn how to properly handle artifacts, and use primary
documents to discover what Christmas was like for those fighting on the front and those waiting in Canada for the
war to end.
Curriculum Links:
- Grade 8 History - Canada: A Changing Society
- Describe the treaties, alliances, events, and people that contributed to the start of the
First world War, and explain their relevance to Canada
- Use a variety of primary and secondary sources to locate relevant information
- Grade 10 Applied, Canadian History in the Twentieth Century - Communities: Local, National, Global
- Describe how Canadian of various backgrounds, individually and as communities, contributed at home and overseas to the war
effort, during World War I and World War II
Programme Length: 2 Hours
Programme Offered: November/ December
Cost: $4.00 per student. Educators and adult supervisors are admitted FREE of charge.
Booking: Call 905-772-0560 for reservations
Thompson Family Traditions - Before, During, and After World War I
Join us this holiday season and learn how the Thompson family, and many other families, celebrated Christmas before,
during, and after World War I. Tour the mansion to discover how traditions and decorations have changed over time.
Use primary documents to create replica Christmas hampers for WWI soldiers. Create a swinging 60's ornament, and
sample a delicious Victorian delight!
Curriculum Links:
- Grade 2 Social Studies - Heritage and Citizenship: Traditions and Celebrations
- Use a variety of resources and tools to gather, process, and communicate information about similarities and
differences among family traditions and celebrations
- Explain the significant traditions and celebrations of families from a variety of cultural traditions
- Grade 3 Social Studies - Early Settlers in Upper Canada
- Identify the countries of origin of people who settled in Upper Canada around 1800
- Compare aspects of life in early settler communities and present-day communities
Programme Length: 2 Hours
Programme Offered: November/ December
Cost: $4.00 per student. Educators and adult supervisors are admitted FREE of charge.
Booking: Call 905-772-0560 for reservations
Wing Watchers
We invite you to join us for a day of birds, butterflies, and binoculars. Become a honourary 'Wing Watcher' as you use your personalized binoculars to search the extensive grounds, and historic house, for different types of winged friends. Learn about, and participate in, bird banding. Create edible bird's nests, and construct you very own bird hotel. It's time to take flight for a day of fun, adventure, and exploration.
Curriculum Links:
- Grade 2 Science and Technology - Understanding Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Animals
- Follow established safety procedures and humane practices specific to the care and handling of live animals
- Identify positive and negative impacts that different kinds of human activity have on animals and where they live
- Explain why humans should protect animals and the places they live
- Use appropriate science and technology vocabulary, including life cycle, migration, adaptation, body coverings, and classify,
in oral and written communication
- Observe and compare changes in the appearance and activity of animals as they go through a complete life cycle
- Grade 1 Science and Technology - Understanding Life Systems: Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
- Follow established safety procedures and humane practices during science and technology investigation
- Describe how showing care and respect for all living things helps to maintain a healthy environment
- Use appropriate science and technology vocabulary, including investigation, explore, needs, space, and food, in oral
and written communication
- Identify the physical characteristics of a variety of plants and animals
Programme Length: Half Day (2 Hours) or Full Day (5 Hours). All classes are invited to enjoy a picnic lunch on the property.
Programme Offered: During Spring and Fall Migration (April, May, September, October)
Cost: $4 per student for half day/ $7 per student for full day. Educators and adult supervisors are admitted FREE of charge.
Booking: Call 905-772-0560 for reservations
NEW Education Programmes to Watch For in 2009!
Investigating Indiana. This programme will focus on the former industrial town of Indiana,
which is the focus of archaeological excavation at Ruthven Park.
Birds, Bugs, and Butterflies. This programme will celebrate Ruthven Park's bird banding lab, butterfly meadow,
and nature trails.
Outreach Programmes
Invite an interpreter visit your classroom! Programme topics will be appropriately adapted to fit specific grade levels
and curriculum expectations.
Topics:
- Five Generations of Thompson: Soldiers, Professionals, Members of Parliament
- Archaeology in Action: Finding the Former Industrial Town of Indiana
- Species at Risk: Birds, Snakes, and Salamanders
- Learning From the Past: Historical Documents and Artifacts
- Bird Banding
Programme Length: 1 - 1.5 Hours
Cost:to $2/per student (minimum class size of 15 students)
Booking: Call 905-772-0560 for reservations
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