Descanso Gardens | Descanso Gardens | School Programs Self Guided Tours
Discovering Trees
 


Discovering Trees

Discovering Trees is a yearlong study of seasonal changes in the garden for teachers and their students in the elementary grades. Through the use of "Descanso Gardens Adventure Journals," the program connects the garden with scientific investigation and inquiry-based instruction in topics such as natural history, ornithology, meteorology, navigation, literature, botany and environmental science.

Schools participating in the program travel to Descanso Gardens during the fall and again in the spring for on-site investigations as part of their field experience. Parents of participating students receive a newsletter twice during the school year following each visit to Descanso.

At the close of the school year, families of participating students are invited to attend a “Science Saturday” at the Gardens, where the children act as docents for the day, sharing their learning experiences with their families.

The cost of the program, including bus transportation, student materials and teacher training are supported by a grants . Previous participants in Discovering Trees represented 21 schools from nine school districts in Los Angeles County.

Descanso Gardens thanks the Steinmetz Foundation, Ahmanson Foundation, Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation, Rose Hills Foundation and Parson Foundation for their support Discovering Trees and other school programs.

Forest Explorers

Forest Explorer workshops for teachers are scheduled from time to time on weekends during the school year. These workshops introduce teachers to the use of the outdoors as a living laboratory for the teaching of environmental science for grades K to 3 and 4 to 8. Workshops focus on topics related to seasonal changes in plants, interdependence of plants and animals, and an awareness of our responsibility to the environment. These workshops are primarily intended for teachers whose classes will be making trips to Descanso Gardens for teacher-guided walks. Investigation materials are introduced for use in the classroom both before and after the field experience at Descanso.

Additional information regarding educational opportunities for teachers is available from the School Programs Office, Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive. La Cañada, CA 91011; 818 949-0120.

Useful Guides

Maps

Freeway Map

Garden Map

Local Park map

Places of Interest

Places of Interest at Descanso Gardens

Places of Interest at Descanso Gardens, spanish

Garden Rules

Garden Rules for
Self-Guided TouR

Garden Rules for
Self-Guided Tour spanish

Garden Rules for
Docent-Led Tour

Garden Rules for
Docent-Led Tour spanish

Guideline for
Chaperones

Chaperone Guidelines
Self-Guided
Tour

Chaperone Guidelines Docent-Led
Tour

Chaperone Guidelines spanish

Teacher Resources
Explore the Forest

Fall

Winter

spring

 

         ©2008 Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011 • 818.949.4200
       Open daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., except Christmas Day