Home School Programs

The Home School Nature Series is a five session program designed to provide home schooled students with an opportunity to explore the natural world in a caring and personalized environment. The participating students will have the opportunity to interact with other home schooled students in fun and hands-on outdoor learning environment.

Home School Program sessions will be taught by Director of School Programs, Kristin Garguilo.  Kristin took over the development and teaching of the New Canaan Nature Center’s Home School Program in Spring of 2008.

“The Home School Program has become one of my favorite programs and I truly believe in a child’s’ sense of wonder. My goal for the home school series is to encourage exploration and discovery of the natural world, where I believe children can gain a vast and personal knowledge of themselves and their community.” ~ Kristin Garguilo

Fall 2008 Series
This term New Canaan Nature Center will host two classes:
Tadpoles for ages 5 to 7 on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon.
Dragonflies for ages 8 to 10 on Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon.

The Fall 2008 Home School Series will be offered as a five session package. Class size will be a maximum of twelve students. The cost of the fall series is $100.00 for the five, two hour programs. 

To register contact New Canaan Nature Center at (203) 966-9577. If you have additional questions please contact Kristin Garguilo at (203) 966-9577 ext. 40.

2008 Fall Program

September - Insect Investigation
Tadpole - September 11
Dragonflies - September 12

What is an insect? How are they different? And what is that crazy metamorphous they do? We will answers all these questions and more as we explore the amazing world of insects.

October - Photosynthesis
Tadpole - October 16
Dragonflies - October 17

Plants make their food through the process of photosynthesis. Observing the color change taking place, we will experiment with pigmentation. The color change of leaves in the fall provides the perfect time to explore the science of pigmentation and photosynthesis the process that turns the leaves green.

November - Decomposers: The Cleaning Crew of the Earth
Tadpole - November 6
Dragonflies - November 7

Bacteria, fungus, and many other critters work every day to keep our earth functional and clean. Come uncover the secret world of decomposers. What is it they do? And how do they do it?

December - Don’t Use It Up
Tadpole - December 11
Dragonflies - December 12

Don’t use it up is an experiment in fresh water. Fresh water is a resource that sustains life. We will run fresh water based experiments on how we use water and what we can do to keep it clean and safe.

January 2009 - Mammals
Tadpole - January 8
Dragonflies - January 9

Humans are mammals and so are cats and dogs. What makes a mammal, a mammal? We will explore the animal classification of mammals and conclude the class with a visit from some of our mammal friends at the New Canaan Nature Center.

For information about future programs email Kristin Garguilo or call (203) 966-9577 x 40.