Programs
Julie has worked with students of ALL ages (toddlers to senior citizens). Her unique way of teaching people to view nature in an appreciative way has influenced many to value and treasure wildlife. School programs encompass a variety of topics ranging from adaptations to classifications. Programs are designed to meet existing state guidelines. Julie has worked with many schools in designing environmental education curricula and has hosted numerous teacher in-service workshops. She can work with small or large audiences. She uses interaction with the students, a variety of media and, of course, her live animal friends in programs lasting between 45 to 60 minutes. Programs are age appropriate and can be designed to suit your school's particular needs
"Hidden In Plain Sight"
Kids will meet animals which use camouflage or mimicry to 'disappear' right before our eyes. A variety of animals include amphibians (frogs, toads and salamanders), reptiles (snakes, lizards and turtles), birds (parrots), mammals and bugs.
"Radical Reptiles"
Are reptiles really all that different from us? The similarities and differences between us and our scaly relatives will be explored. Live reptiles (snakes, lizards and turtles) will dispel the myths and misconceptions we are taught about these gentle animals.
"One World-One Family"
We cannot exist without other living things. This program looks at all the ways people are dependent on the natural world...decomposers, seed dispersers, pollinators and predators. Compassion and respect are emphasized as kids touch a variety of animals (amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and bugs).
"Animals From Around The World"
A geographical journey from the classroom to the continents of Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America and North America. Kids will meet live animals (invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals) representing different parts of the world and learn what special contributions these animals make.
"It's A Jungle Out There"
Look at life in a tropical rainforest. From the forest floor decomposers (bugs) to the highest canopy dwellers (parrots), discover how this complex ecosystem works. Visit these ecologically rich regions through a visit with some live animals from the different layers of the forest. A food chain is explored, working its way through the different layers of the forest.
"Going, Going...Gone!"
Why are animals disappearing? How many species are we losing each year? What does threatened, endangered and extinct mean? This program uses live animals (python, parrot, chinchilla, frogs, iguana and bugs) to illustrate how factors such as population growth, habitat destruction, pollution and lifestyle choices impact wildlife.
"Animal Classifications"
From the simplest animals (worms, millipedes and insects) to the most complex (amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals), students learn how each organism specializes in carving out a niche in a complex world. Kids will understand how and why animals are classified into different groups--what they have in common and how they differ.
"In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we know. And we will know only what we are taught." - Baba Diom
Customer Testimonials:
Thank you for coming and bringing in the animals. I really enjoyed it. It encouraged me a lot to save the Rainforests and the animals in it. I hope you can come back some other time. I appreciated holding your animals. I hope to make the future a better place! Thank you for coming!
- Whitney (student)
As the school year draws to a close, we would like to express our appreciation to you for presenting "Hidden In Plain Sight" and "Going, Going...Gone" to our school this spring. Your animal presentations were definitely a hit with the students. The learned a lot by interacting "hands-on" with the iguana, cockroaches and birds. They also gained increased respect for the natural world, and conquered their fear of snakes. We hope to invite you back next year!
- Amy and Lynne (teachers)
Fantastic! Julie reinforced many of the key concepts we have been teaching this past week! The students were so excited when given the opportunity to hold the animals. I like how she had actually been to the Rainforest. This seemed to hold the students' attention. We could have listened to her for another 20 minutes!
- Kyle (teacher)
What a wonderful performance! Julie made it fun and exciting for the students. Her enthusiasm was evident and refreshing! It fit into our lesson plans perfectly. It was beneficial to have someone speak who had actual first hand knowledge about the rainforest.
- Lee Anne (teacher)
We needed 15 minutes more! Wow—Julie has a wealth of knowledge which she shared on a level that was understood by our students. Her level of comfort with her animals was extended to our students and they picked up on that when they held the animals. We liked the way she stressed the interdependence of plants, animals and humans in the rainforest. Great conclusion asking students if they were willing to make a commitment and showing her recycled shoes! She practices what she preaches.
- Cedar House Grade 6 Team (teachers)
Your presentation "Going, Going...Gone!" was wonderful. I can usually gauge the quality of a program by how fidgety the students get or the amount of sidebar talking. The students' attention was captured the whole hour. By this standard, your program would get an A. Thank you for being a part of our Earth Week Celebration. It was a great way to start the week.
- Bruce (principal)
