EdVentures Learning Goals and Logistics
Outing Learning Goals
EdVentures outings are focused on a process of inquiry. The six (6) lesson arc includes three (3) lessons in 2nd grade and three (3) lessons in 3rd grade with activities related to:
Making observations with all of our senses
Investigating answers to questions we may have about our natural world
Making conclusions
Taking action based on our conclusions
Logistics
Two to three mentors are assigned to your school and will work with all participating classes.
EdVentures outings are 2.5-3 hours long. Each class will participate in two to four (2-4) outings throughout the school year (fall, early spring, and late spring).
Outings are primarily walking field trips to natural areas near school grounds. Note: students will need to fill out a Wild Whatcom participation release as well as any paperwork deemed necessary by your school.
In the week prior to the first lesson, mentors will conduct an in-classroom visit to prepare students for what they can expect, what clothing they need to wear, etc. (post-outing reflection activities will be integrated into the outing so there will not be post-outing classroom sessions).
With exceptions given for unsafe weather, outings will take place rain or shine! Mentors will have extra wet-weather gear available for students to borrow on rainy days.
Extra adults are ALWAYS welcome, including parent volunteers! Please let parents know they are welcome to attend (assuming they have undergone all relevant background checks).
Teacher Expectations
EdVentures is designed to be a collaborative effort between Wild Whatcom staff, teachers, and adult volunteers. Wild Whatcom staff will reach out to teachers prior to the EdVentures season with an invitation to collaborate on outing content. While we have a standard outing design in mind, we strive to be flexible and creative in order to provide the most effective experience for your students.
While in the field, we ask that teachers assist with behavior management and individual student needs which will allow Wild Whatcom staff to effectively deliver content to the group as a whole. We may also ask teachers to help divide students into effective working groups for group activities and games.
Teachers are also asked to coordinate outing times with Wild Whatcom staff, get parent permission slips signed as well as taking care of any additional field trip protocol for your school.
Teacher Reviews
“I appreciate the focus on mindfulness and interconnected relationships between people and nature. My students have experienced the natural world just outside the door of our classroom in ways they would never have otherwise. EdVentures has aligned well with our Units of Inquiry… particularly the Sharing Our Planet unit focusing on how we dispose of materials. The FBI lesson about soil decomposers was wonderful! I appreciate that the leaders came prepared with classroom management techniques that were age appropriate, yet flexible for students with behavioral plans.”
-2nd Grade teacher at Birchwood Elementary
“The leaders who worked with my classroom were amazing: engaging, enthusiastic, and highly knowledgeable! Giving the students opportunities to get outside (when many of them typically don't) and engage with nature is an invaluable experience.”
-2nd Grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary
Scheduling / Questions
Interested in EdVentures at your school? Contact schoolprograms@wildwhatcom.org