Writing Projects

Authentic learning experiences support the development of students' writer's voice. Not only does the Hidden Villa field trip offer students concrete information and experiences to write about, the excitement from these experiences often acts to heighten students' motivation to write. In the section on writing projects, you will find units that touch on almost all of the state writing standards from grades 2 to 5.

Science Projects

Hidden Villa field trips encourage students to get up close and personal with the animals, plants, soil and water of their environment. This hands-on approach encourages students to make connections between the "real world" and the science concepts they are asked to understand in school. In the section on science projects, you can find several units that capitalize on your students' hands-on learning about the environment to teach the life science standards of your grade.

Action Projects

Once your students have connected deeply with their local environment and learned about the interconnections within it via your integrated units, they may be ready to take on an action project. In the section on action projects, you can find a range of activities students can participate in that are developmentally appropriate. All of these projects are based on the idea that young children should NOT be asked to understand or worry about the ecological disasters of our world, but rather be empowered to make changes locally, in their own lives, with the support necessary to be successful.