Many areas of the curriculum can be incorporated while taking a field trip. Each trip has different goals and objectives. On a trip to a nature preserve we can emphasize the areas of history and geography and also include science.

Throughout time a nature preserve and the surrounding areas have been affected by natural forces as well as the impact of different groups of humans. The study of these changes is a study of history.

Geographers also emphasize the study of natural features and the impact of humans on them. Geographers are interested in studying how the environment and changes in it relate to the lives of real people. They study the following major areas:

Political Systems

Human Systems

Environment and Society

Places and Regions

The World in Spatial Terms

The Uses of Geography

Both historians and geographers need knowledge of natural and physical sciences to understand these relationships and changes.

On a trip to Hartman Reserve we can learn about ways to teach geography. Geography becomes meaningful when abstract terms are experienced and when a map is used to find real places.

Here are some geographic concepts and terms a teacher might help students understand.

boundary

bridge

color

compass rose

contour lines

directions

east

environments

highway

hill

hospital

industry

intersection

key

line

north

northeast

northwest

park

path

people

pond

preserve

railroad track

relationships

river

road

school

south

southeast

southwest

swamp

west

We will use maps to locate specific places and features. This type of experience is called orienteering.

Geographers cannot work without understanding science. The plants and animals that live in an area are affected by the natural features.

Plants in need of much sunlight might grow on the south side of a hill that receives good sun whereas those requiring much water might grow in a wetland area. Some plants help other plants grow; others are so aggressive that they keep them from growing. Erosion affects which plants stay and which survive. Steep hillsides may be affected by erosion.

1. How does the terrain affect plants in Hartman Reserve?

2. How do the weather and climate affect plants in Hartman Reserve?

Humans affect what survives in an area. People make paths or roads, divert streams, and introduce or take away plants and animals.

1. What was Cedar Falls like a thousand or a hundred years ago?

2. What people lived here then and now?

3. What were the dwellings of people like then and what are they like now?

4. What roads, paths, or means of transportation did they use then and now?

5. Why did Hartman Reserve survive as a nature preserve?

Animals are impacted by the environment. Those that eat seeds and nuts must live near areas that support plants that produce the seeds or nuts. Birds needing hollow trees in which to nest need areas in which old timber has been allowed to stand and rot so that natural holes have developed or can be easily made.

1. How has the terrain affected the plant and animal life of this area?

2. What have people decided to name plants and animals of the area?

3. Why have they been given those names?

Geographers and other scientists need to know the common and scientific names of plants and animals when they make decisions that affect people. Specific information can help them protect and preserve the environment.

Learning names of plants and animals in the environment is like learning the names of friends. Under each plant name people collect information about color, height, preferred environment, shape of leaves, petals, or stems, or types of seeds. Under animal names they collect information about appearance, preferred homes, food, and habits. Knowing names helps people protect and preserve precious native plants and animals.

Try to learn some of the names and identify characteristics of wildflowers, trees, mammals, birds, or amphibians at Hartman Reserve. Wildflower, tree, bird, mammal, or reptile and amphibian books often tell about preferred geographic environments. Take along such books or a printout of information on the web. Identify them on a walk. Wild Flowers /Trees/Birds

Many birds live in the preserve. The geographic features affect the places they choose to live.

1. Which part of the preserve might be preferred by woodpeckers or owls?

2. In which parts might ducks, geese, or ospreys live?

3. Which parts would be preferred by song birds?

4. Where might you find woodcocks and why?

5. Why might turkey vultures sometimes come to Hartman Reserve?

You might see or hear some of the following:

American Crow

Barred owl

Black-capped chickadee

Blue jay

Canada goose

Cardinal

Downy woodpecker

Hairy woodpecker

Junco

Mallard duck

Mourning dove

Northern flicker

Osprey

Pileated woodpecker

Red-bellied woodpecker

Red-headed woodpecker

Robin

Turkey vulture

Warblers

White-breasted nuthatch

White-throated sparrow

Wood duck

Woodcock

You might see various mammals or signs of their presence.

1. Where in the preserve might you find woodchucks and why?

2. Where would squirrels or chipmunks live and why?

3. What impact have deer had on Hartman Reserve?

Chipmunk

Deer

Fox squirrel

Mouse

Rabbit

Woodchuck

A variety of amphibians live in Hartman Reserve.

1. Where would you find them?

2. How can you identify different frogs even if you can't see them?

Chorus frog (Sounds like finger run over a comb)

Green frog

Leopard frog

Children can learn to read a map to see where a bus or car will drive as they go to a field trip site. They can learn about things they see along the way.

There are many historic buildings in the City of Cedar Falls. The Cedar Falls Historical Society has prepared materials to help people learn about the community. A digital camera has been used to take pictures of some of these buildings. Descriptions provided by the city of Cedar Falls have been added to the pictures. Think about these earlier questions related to history.

1. What was Cedar Falls like a thousand or a hundred years ago?

2. What people lived here then and now?

3. What were the dwellings of people like then and what are they like now?

4. What roads, paths, or means of transportation did they use then and now?

5. Why did Hartman Reserve survive as a nature preserve?

Do the following:

1. Look at this web site. Black Hawk County History

2. Plan which route will be taken to get to Hartman Reserve.

3. Plot the route on a map.

4. Identify which historic sites will be passed along the way?

5. Learn about the places that will be passed.