Growing Environmental Literacy in Nature's Classroom
My students need the opportunity to participate in a 3 day, 2 night overnight camping trip so they can experience hands-on, outdoor education so they can connect the content from the classroom to authentic learning experiences in nature.
My students are twenty-two energetic third graders who love to ask questions. They have a natural curiosity that constantly propels them to dig deeper about familiar ideas, as well as to investigate something new. They are also incredibly creative. My students find inspiration everywhere and they think in original ways. The enthusiasm they pour out in all that they do is contagious!
Not only are my students full of curiosity and creativity, they are also full of love for others.
Together since kindergarten, they have developed a strong, irreplaceable bond grounded in their unique experiences as a diverse group of children. The boys and girls of my class readily help one another with everyday tasks, show genuine care and concern when someone is hurt, and try earnestly to provide comfort to others.
They are on their way to becoming citizens of the world who are hungry to learn, conscientious in their actions, and compassionate towards others. I consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to help them along the way.
My Project
This project will enable my students to participate in the 3-day and 2 night NatureBridge Program at Golden Gate. This program will support my students' in learning about environmental science by immersing them in nature! They will have real-life experiences that allow them to explore the habitats and adaptations of different organisms, as well as to see how their actions can impact nature.
In addition, the hands-on learning opportunities will promote inquiry-based learning as emphasized by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Connecting with the environment will prompt my students to develop a sense of wonder about nature that I would be not able to duplicate within the four walls of my classroom.
Using the natural world as the classroom is guaranteed to make the learning more memorable and meaningful for my students because of the chances they will have for real-life application of learned information. The program will help each of my students develop a personal relationship with nature as well as a special bond with one another as they engage in team building activities and cooperative learning about the interconnections among themselves, other living organisms, and the environment.
My hope is that by participating in the NatureBridge Program at Golden Gate, my students will not only gain knowledge and skills, but they will also realize the significance of their roles, as individuals and as a collective, in caring for our environment and be inspired to take action to protect nature in the future.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Han and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
