Homeschool Days

Turtle Back Zoo is an amazing classroom!

Welcome to the wildest classroom in NJ! Our homeschool classes offer students an opportunity to boost scientific literacy and knowledge of the natural world, and learn the importance of life-long environmental stewardship. Available to students ages 6-12, the programs include a visit to South Mountain Reservation, Reservoir, or Zoo as weather permits. These are in-person, drop-off sessions held one Wednesday per month from 11am – 1pm in the Berson Family Center. Fee is $30/student, with a maximum capacity of 20 students. Program fee does not include separate zoo admission. Students are encouraged to bring their own supplies (note books, pens, water bottle).

To register search “homeschool” at “turtle Back Zoo:  Homeschool Registration

September – November 2023: Principles of Natural History

• September 27: Classification and Relationships – Every organism has a place in the tree of life. Find out how scientists classify the species they find and determine the relationships between them.
• October 11: Evolution and Natural Selection – How and why do species change over time? Discover the principles of natural selection and the history of our understanding of it, from Darwin and Wallace’s time to the present day.
• November 15: The Story of Life on Earth – Discover the history of life on our planet, from its humble beginnings 3.7 billion years ago to the present day. Learn from the fossil record which groups of animals no longer exist and which survive today. Finally, learn why we are in the middle of another mass extinction.

December 2023 – February 2024: Challenges of Life

• December 13: Herbivores, Predators, and Prey – Explore the complex strategies animals use to gather food. We will not only look at the evolutionary arms race between carnivores and their prey, but also the one between herbivores and plants.
• January 17: Social Animals – Life in a group has benefits, but also presents problems. Discover the challenges animals face from others of the same species, like settling conflicts between individuals; and even relationships they form with other species.
• February 14: Courting and Parenting – One of the most important challenges for any organism is producing young and ensuring they survive. Find out how animals try to find the best mates and make sure that their offspring get a good start in life.

March – May 2024: Wildlife Conservation

• March 13: Endangered Species and Extinction – Explore the impact humans have had on wild species all over the world throughout history. Learn about the mass extinction we are currently experiencing, as well as ways humans are working to save the species that remain.
• April 17: The Purpose and History of Zoos – Explore the primary mission of zoos around the world. Examine the history and development of the modern zoo, from ancient civilizations to today.
• May 15: Conservation – What You Can Do – In our final session, we look at the ways you at home can help conserve wildlife and the environment. From making informed purchases, to supporting conservation organizations around the world, to urging government workers to join in the effort, find out the ways you can contribute to the preservation of life on Earth.

To register search “homeschool” at “turtle Back Zoo:  Homeschool Registration

Drop-off is at the Berson Family Center as early as 10:50am; the program begins promptly at 11am. Pick-up time is at 1pm; late pick-ups after 1pm will incur a fee of $10 for every 15 minutes late.  Please make sure that your child has a refillable water bottle and is comfortably dressed to spend time outside. We will go outside, rain or shine or snow, unless there is thunder or lightning.

For more information email jmoloshok@parks.essexcountynj.org.