Fossil Rim Home School Survey
Dear Homeschooler,
We want to understand you – your values, interests and needs. Would you take a few minutes to answer the following questions?
Please return the survey to me at: markp@fossilrim.org
Thanks for your time and thoughts!
Mark Phillips
Homeschool Coordinator
1. What are some key core values in your homeschooling program and/or educational philosophy?
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2.
What are your 2 main academic goals for your students? (What do you want to impart to your students,
academically, in the years that you ‘have’ them?)
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3. Which of the following interest you most? Please circle the number of any that you like..
1. “Species in Peril”: Learn all about wolves and wolf conservation. See three species in our Intensive Management Area.
Homeschoolers as young as 7 may attend.
2. “Natural Dyes”: Find cochineal (a natural insect-derived dye) in the field, learn about it and other natural dyes, tie-dye a shirt
or bandana or pillow case.
3. “Cheetah!”: See some of our 20-30 on-site cheetahs, learn all about this unique and amazing cat.
4. “Creepy Crawlies”: Learn to recognize and understand some of the insects, spiders and snakes of Texas (and some other
places). See and handle (probably) some.
5. The Lorax: Reenact the original story (about conservation), digest and apply the principles for Texas!
6. “Animal Capture”: How do our vets capture these wild animals for treatment? How do scientists mark animals and track their
movements and migration? A cool hands-on activity demonstrates how.
7. Animal Dissection: Want your kids to have dissection experience, but don’t want the mess on your kitchen table?
Let us make the mess! For one or multiple dissections. Instruction on tools and technique included.
8. “Africa!”: Explore the geography, wildlife and conservation issues of the exotic home to most of our species. Discuss
savannah ecology, make a “Savannah Field Guide”.
9. Fossil Dig: Learn the kinds of rocks and fossils and how they were formed. Dig, find, identify… and even keep one.
10. “Water Wonders”: Discover the amazing properties of water that make it so important for life. Capture and study pond life.
Learn practical water conservation.
11. “Once upon a tree…” (Nature Journaling): Take a look at some examples of nature journals, learn four different nature
journaling techniques. Remember to bring your nature journal and preferred art medium. Artistic proficiency not required!
12. “Who Cares?”: Meet select Fossil Rim staff. Hear the fascinating story of the modern conservation movement. Discuss some
of the whos, hows and whys of stewardship conservation.
13. “Family Fun” (Taxonomy): Examine how and why we group living things the way we do. We can go in depth on the group(s)
that interest(s) you most (ex. butterflies and beetles, trees, birds, carnivores, cats, etc…).
14. “Discovery Table”: Peruse our big table of bones, horns, feathers, shells, etc…, handle and examine what’s there and connect
them to the animals that own/use them. Learn about the relationship of form and function in biology. Integrates beautifully with
‘Taxonomy.’
15. Robin Hood Day Camp: Based on Howard Pyle’s classic, The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, this program combines
elements of several of some of the above programs (such as Animal Capture and Discovery Table) and includes topics/activities
such as poaching, camouflage, the European Red Deer, and archery!
TOP THREE IN ORDER: 1. #____ (your favorite!), 2. #_____ (next favorite), 3. # _____
4. What day(s) of the week work best in your schedule for field trips? __________________________
Any other thoughts/suggestions: (You are welcome to write as much as you would like. We would value the input!)
Please email your responses to Mark Phillips at: markp@fossilrim.org