The goals of the Reynolda Gardens educational programs for schools are:

• To share information on topics related to the art and science of horticulture,

• To provide structured field experience as a complement to classroom study,

• To encourage curiosity and creativity,

• To help young people become knowledgeable about and comfortable with the natural world,

• To inspire a sense of stewardship for local and world environments.

Programs

Reservations
Programs are offered only for the grade levels and only in the months indicated. Space is limited. All group visits are scheduled through the Reynolda Gardens education office. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Reservations are made by telephone in early August for all school visits for the following school year. Call the office for information on the date and time reservations will be taken. Education office: 336.758.3485.

Programs are led by Reynolda Gardens Education Volunteers who are knowledgeable about plants and experienced in working with students of all ages.

Art in the Garden
Students examine plants and gardens closely while learning how to sketch plants. Students prepare plants to take home.
Grades 4 - 8
2 hours
September, April, May

Exploring Horticulture
An in-garden study of the application of scientific principles to the art of growing plants. Students prepare plants to take home.
Grades 5 - 7
2 hours
May

Ecology of the Piedmont
Directed observation of plant and animal life in the woods, fields, and gardens. Students prepare plants to take home.
See also: Birds of Reynolda Gardens
Grades 2 - 6
2 hours
September, April, May

Fall Garden
A walk through the formal gardens, greenhouses, and nearby wildflower area to see the changes fall brings to the garden. Students prepare plants to take home.
Grades K - 1
1 hour
September

Gardens and Woodlands
A walk along garden paths and nature trails to study native and cultivated plant families. Students prepare plants to take home.
Grades 2 - 4
2 hours
April, May

Introduction to Taxonomy
A study of the scientific classification of woody plants using a specially-designed botanical key in the Reynolda Gardens tree and shrub study area.
Grades 7 - 12
2 hours
September, October, April, May

Naturalist's Notebook
Directed art and writing activities are tools for observation of plant and animal life. Students prepare plants to take home.
Grades 3 - 8
2 hours
September, October, April, May

Science for Special Learners
Students examine plants in the greenhouse that are native to tropic and arid environments and plant seeds, transplant seedlings, and take cuttings to take back to school.
Self-contained LD, BEH, EMH
1 hour
November

Spring Garden
A walk through the formal gardens, greenhouses, and nearby wildflower area to see the changes spring brings to the garden. Students prepare plants to take home.
Grades K - 1
1 hour
April, May

Trees of the Piedmont
A walk on the nature trail with emphasis on tree identification and preparation of a leaf collection. Students prepare plants to take home.
See also: Trees of Reynolda Gardens
Grades 2 - 6
2 hours
Late September through early November

Winter Greenhouse
Students examine plants native to tropical and arid environments, plant seeds, transplant seedlings, and take cuttings to take back to school.
Grades 1 - 6
2 hours
February, March

Writing in the Garden
Students record, compile, and share their observations of plants and gardens. Students prepare plants to take home.
Grades 4 - 8
2 hours
September, April, May

Special Features

Stewardship
To help illustrate the concept of environmental and social stewardship during their visit, students take away plants with them at the end of their visit and also leave something— a part of an exhibit at the Boathouse or a task completed in the Children's Garden— for later visitors' benefit.

The Children's Garden
The Children's Garden is a plot within the formal gardens. Students visiting with school groups make a stop there, weather and seasonal conditions permitting, to help plant, cultivate, or harvest vegetable and flowering plants.

The Boathouse Education Center
The Boathouse, once a private recreational center for the Reynolds family, is the base for education programs in the spring and fall. A small, informal exhibit area helps leaders introduce concepts for each visit. Students are invited to add natural items of seasonal interest, discovered during their visit, to the exhibit. The porch provides a sheltered location for students to observe the plant and animal life of the artificial wetland that remains of the Lake Katharine. Students prepare plants to take home on the Boathouse terrace.

Gardens-School Partnership
Teachers are provided with detailed information on each program before their visit. The teaching packet includes pages designed to be copied to create a handbook for each student. The handbook contains pictures of plants and information students need to see and know before their visit in order to orient themselves quickly to the field trip experience and gain the most from their time at Reynolda Gardens. Teachers should expect to devote class time to preparation for the visit.

Location
RGWFU is located in Reynolda Village, adjacent to the campus of WFU. The entrance to Reynolda Village is at the stoplight on Reynolda Road at By Way Street. Further information is provided when reservations are made.

Weather Policy
Winter:
If the Winston-Salem / Forsyth County schools are closed on the day of the scheduled visit, every effort will be made to reschedule.
Spring and Fall:
If it is raining on the day of the scheduled visit, every effort will be made to reschedule.

Group Size
Group size is limited to one class, with a minimum of 12 students except in the Science for Special Learners program, and a maximum of 28 students. Adult chaperones, in addition to the teacher, must accompany each group.

Cost
The charge is $2 for each student. There is no admission charge for teachers or chaperones.