TRAIL Programs
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL— GRADES K–5TH
PreK: Discover Nature
Young children receive an introduction to what is and is not a part of nature by using their senses
to discover the natural world around them.
ELAKLASV1a,b,c,e,f,g,h; SKCS1a; SKCS2a; SKCS3a; SKCS4a,b,c; SKCS5a, SKL1a; SKL2a,b,c
K: Nature Same and Different
Children are encouraged to investigate the similarities and differences in plants, animals,
and rocks.
ELAKLASV1a,b,c,e,f,g,h; MKM1a,c,d; SKCS1a; SKCS2a, SKCS4a,b,c; SKCS5a; SKE2a,b,c;
SKL1a,b,c; SKL2a,b,c
1st: Basic Needs of Plants and Animals
Focusing on the basic needs of Georgia native plants and animals students will learn how
they are able to survive and thrive in the wild.
ELA1LSV1a,b,c,e,f; S1CS1a, S1CS3a; S1L1a,b,c,d
1st–4th: Insects and Spiders
Explore the world of the creepy crawlies and learn what good things these critters can do for the
environment.
ELALSV1a,b,c,e,f; S1CS1a; S1CS4a; S1L1b,d - ELA2LSV1a; S2CS1a; S2CS3a; S2CS4b,c,d;
S2CS5a; S2L1a - ELA3LSV1a,b; S3CS1; S3L1c,d; S3L1a,b - ELA4LSV1a,b,c,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,l;
S4L1c,d; S4L2a
1st–4th: Nature In Your Neighborhood
Are there wild animals in your backyard? Come learn about native urban wildlife and how these
animals have adapted to living in the city.
ELA1LSV1b,c,d,e,f; S1CS1a; S1CS4a,b,c; S1CS7d; S1L1b,d - ELA2LSV1a; S2CS1a;
S2CS4b,c,d; S2CS7d; S2L1a - ELA3LSV1a,b; S3CS1; S3L1c,d; S3L2a,b ELA4LSV1a,b,f,g,h,I,j,k,l; S4L1c,d; S4L2a
1st–5th: Plants and Trees
Students discover how plants and trees grow and understand the relationships between humans,
plants and animals.
ELA1LSV1b,c,d,f; S1CS1a; S1CS4a,b; S1CS5a; S1CS7d; S1L1a,c - ELA2LSV1a; S2CS1a;
S2CS3a; S2CS4b,c; S2CS5a; S2L1b,c - ELA3LSV1b,d; S3L2b - ELA4LSV1b,c,f,g,h,I,j,k,l;
S4L1b,d; S4L2a - ELA5LSV1b,c,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,l; S5L1b
2nd: Life Cycles
What is a tadpole? Journey through the life cycle of several Georgia native plants and animals to
find out!
ELA2LSV1a; S2CS1a; S2CS4b,c,d; S2CS5a; S2CS7d; S2L1a,b,d
2nd: Creek and Cherokee I
This program explores how the native peoples used the land, river, wildlife, and other natural
resources for hunting, farming, medicine, shelter, clothing, transportation, music, and games.
ELA2LSV1a; S2CS1a; SS2G2a,b,c,e; SS2H2a,b
2nd–5th: Reptiles and Amphibians
Focusing on Georgia native species, students will learn about these fascinating animals while
exploring the grounds looking for them in the wild.
ELA2LSV1a; S2CS1a; S2CS4b,c,d; S2CS5a; S2CS7d; S2L1a - ELA3LSV1a,b; S3CS1; S3L1c,d;
S3L1a,b - ELA4LSV1a,b,c,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,l; S4L1; S4L2a - ELA5LSV1a,b,c,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,l; S5CS1,
S5L1, S5L2
3rd: Georgia EcoRegions (Habitats)
Learn about the different EcoRegions of Georgia and the adaptations of plants and animals in
the different habitats of these regions.
ELA3LSV1a,b; S3L1a,b,c,d; S3L2a,b
3rd: Pollution Solutions
This hands-on experience demonstrates the various types of pollution and their causes and
effects. Students then discover some possible solutions and recognize ways to Reduce, Reuse
and Recycle.
ELA3LSV1a,b; S3CS1; S3CS3; S3CS4a; S3L1c,d; S3L1a,b
3rd–6th: Raptors
This program focuses on the birds of prey that call Georgia home. Habitats, adaptations, and
conservation issues will be discussed. Hands-on owl pellet dissection is included.
ELA3LSV1a,b; S3CS1; S3CS3; S3L1c,d; S3L1a,b - ELA4LSV1a,b,c,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,l; S4CS3; S4L1;
S4L2a - ELA5LSV1a,b,c,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,l; S5CS1; S5CS3; S5L1; S5L2 - ELA6LSV1a,b,c,e,f,g,h,i,j,k;
S6CS1; S6CS4
4th:Web of Life
Students examine the connections between biotic and abiotic elements in nature while focusing
on specific eating behaviors of animals and examples of food webs.
ELA4LSV1b,c,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,l; S4L1a,b,c,d; S4L2a,b
4th: Creek and Cherokee II
Students gain a deeper understanding of how the native peoples who inhabited this area of
Georgia used the land, river, wildlife, and other natural resources for their survival.
ELA4LSV1b,c,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,l; SS4G2a, SS2H1b
5th: Vertebrate Classification
What do a bird, fish, frog, snake and rabbit all have in common? A backbone! Students will learn
how scientists classify the five vertebrate groups.
ELA5LSV1b,c,e,f,g,h,i, j, k, l; S5L1a,b Field Studies 2008–2009
MIDDLE SCHOOL— GRADES 6th–8th
6th– 8th: Dichotomous Key Tree ID
Students will create and use a dichotomous key to identify native trees.
ELA6LSV1a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k; S6CS1 - ELA7LSV1a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k; S7CS1; S7L1a,b; S7L5 ELA8LSV1a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k; S8CS1
6th–8th: Orienteering
Learn how to use a compass and then journey into the woods on a challenging navigation course.
7th: Advanced Web of Life
Students gain a deeper understanding of how living organisms are inter-related and the fragile
balance of food chains within a food web.
ELA7LSV1a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k; S77CS1; S7CS5a; S7L4a,b,c,d; S7L5
6th–8th: Endangered Species
Through role- play, students learn about endangered, threatened, and extinct species while
focusing on the Georgia mountain bog habitat.
ELA6LSV1a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k; S6CS1 - ELA7LSV1a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k; S7CS1; S7L4c; S7L5
ELA8LSV1a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k; S8CS1
HIGH SCHOOL— GRADES 9th–12th
Mountain Bog Turtle
Students learn the perils and consequences of endangered plants and animals. This program
focuses on the Georgia mountain bog habitat and the highly endangered bog turtle.
ELALSV1a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h; SCSh1; SB4a,d,f; SEV2; SEV3; SEV5
Dichotomous Key Tree ID and Forest Ecology
Students will create and use a dichotomous key to identify native trees and learn about
forest ecology.
ELALSV1a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h; SCSh1; SCSh3; SCSh4; SCSh6; SB4c,d,e
ALL AGES
Wildlife Discovery
A general introduction to nature and wildlife for younger visitors, students will explore
the native plants and animals of the CNC through hands-on exploration and inquisitive
observation.
Georgia Wildlife Journey
A guided tour of the Nature Center’s permanent wildlife residents; owls, hawks, snakes,
and a beaver are just a few of the animals your group will encounter!