Participating Schools: Mary Collins School at Cherry Valley Elementary School, McDowell Elementary School

Lead Teachers: Liza Eichert, Eugenia Praetzel, Gena Richman 

Participating Classes: 1st-8th

Collaborators: STRAW

Overview: Through hands-on real world problem solving done in collaboration with McDowell and Mary Collins School teachers, students, families and community partners, students will learn biological principles, mathematical reasoning and critical thinking skills. These skills will be used to help understand and address global issues in the context of our local environment and Sonoma County watershed. 

Curriculum Highlights

Key Learning Objectives: In this work we ask ourselves how do we provide structure and scaffolding for our students to practice  becoming responsible members of their community using critical thinking, communication and geoliteracy skills?  

Fieldwork Activities:

Collaborations with Students & Teachers Restoring A Watershed (STRAW), School Restorations and Habitat building, Helen Putnam Regional Park Exploration, Shollenberger Park Investigations, Local Investigations, Petaluma River Clean Up, Site Based native plant propagation, Local creek/water testing, Habitat investigations at the River Heritage Center, Partnership with Sonoma State University Watershed Project.

CA Curriculum Standards Addressed

Life Sciences: 3. Adaptations in physical structure or behavior may improve an organism’s chance for survival. As a basis for understanding this concept: a. Students know plants and animals have structures that serve different functions in growth, survival, and reproduction. READ MORE

Student Work

Above is a presentation created by Liza Eichart's students at Cherry Valley for the 2017 Student Showcase. 

Students create a Public Service Announcement for the Petaluma River Community Cleanup

Public Service Announcement created by Acts of Caring students in 2015