Animal & Nature Studies — Curriculum Overview (TK–5)

Hands-on science, animal care, and environmental learning that nurture curiosity, empathy, and scientific thinking. Each year builds in sophistication—moving from safe animal interactions to complex ecological systems, genetics, and evolution.

TK — Discovering the Animal Kingdom

Theme: Animal Traits & Safety – noticing body language (ears, tails, posture) and how traits like teeth, wings, or claws help animals survive.

Main Areas of Study: Differences between animal classes (mammals, reptiles, birds), safe interactions with large animals, and early observation of behaviors.

• Animal Safety
• Animal Identification
• Seasonal Changes
• Animal Behavior
• Mammals, Reptiles, Birds
• Parts of a Plant
• Veterinary Care

Kindergarten — Animal Care 101: Guardians of the Barnyard

Theme: The basics of animal husbandry—feeding, cleaning, observing—and what animals need to stay healthy.

Main Areas of Study: Daily care routines, nutrition, comparative anatomy, and the design of animal habitats that meet basic needs.

• Animal Safety
• Animal Identification
• Animal & Human Nutrition
• Comparative Anatomy
• Habitats & Seasonal Needs
• Veterinary Care
• Native Animals

Grade 1 — Ecology 101: Web of Life

Theme: Predators, prey, and simple food chains that keep ecosystems in balance.

Main Areas of Study: Interdependent relationships between plants and animals, early ecology, and the foundations of conservation and care.

• Animal Safety & Identification
• Comparative Anatomy
• Ecology & Conservation
• Plant & Animal Needs
• Habitats
• Behavior & Communication
• Plant Care, Pollinators & Harvesting

The Upper Elementary Animal & Nature Studies program operates on a two-year learning cycle that invites students to dive deeply into complex scientific ideas. Through a thoughtfully sequenced curriculum, students explore topics—like evolution, genetics, and ecological interdependence—often reserved for middle and high school, in ways that are engaging, hands-on, and developmentally appropriate.

Grades 2–3 — Evolution & Genetics 101: Traits & Transformations (Year A)

Theme: An introduction to natural selection and the big ideas of evolution—why living things look and behave the way they do.

Main Areas of Study: Inheritance, variation of traits, and how species evolve and adapt to their environment over time.

• Genetics & Heritability
• Phenotype & Genotype
• Phenotypic Plasticity
• Mendelian Inheritance
• Natural vs. Artificial Selection
• Hybrid Adaptations & Convergence
• Fossils & Emergence of New Species

Grades 2–3 — Animal Care 201: Advanced Animal Studies (Year B)

Theme: Building on Animal Care 101—advanced care practices, behavior, and applied animal science.

Main Areas of Study: Comparative anatomy, enrichment design, communication, and adaptations across species.

• Animal Safety & Identification
• Advanced Care Practices (feeding, habitat design, enrichment)
• Comparative Anatomy
• Animal Behavior & Communication
• Adaptations to Environment
• Fossils & Extinct Animals
• Human Impact on Animals

Grades 4–5 — Evolution & Genetics 201: The Story of Survival (Year A)

Theme: A deeper look at natural selection and how life adapts—connecting genetics to survival strategies across species.

Main Areas of Study: Advanced genetics, adaptation, survival, and how organisms change and persist through time.

• Evolution & Survival Mechanisms
• Natural vs. Artificial Selection
• Genetics & Heritability
• Phenotype & Genotype
• Phenotypic Plasticity
• Mendelian Inheritance
• Hybrid Adaptations & Convergence
• Fossils & the Emergence of New Species
• Intelligence & Adaptation in Species

Grades 4–5 — Ecology 201: Interdependence & Ecosystems (Year B)

Theme: Complex ecosystems and interdependence—how organisms coexist, adapt, and keep Earth’s systems in balance.

Main Areas of Study: Energy flow, population dynamics, migration, and human impact on environments.

• Ecology & Ecosystem Dynamics
• Food Webs & Biomes
• Population Growth & Carrying Capacity
• Animal Interactions & Group Living
• Migration, Locomotion, Defense Mechanisms
• Adaptations for Vision & Senses
• Animal Learning & Training
• Plant Identification & Native Plants
• Photosynthesis & Fungi
• Pollinators & Plant Care

Each unit builds conceptual understanding and executive function skills—moving from hands-on observation in early grades to systems thinking, data analysis, and stewardship in upper elementary.