American River Field Guide Challenge Unit for Teachers
Free Download ARNHA invites you to download this American River Field Guide Challenge Unit. This unit involves both teachers and students in the exciting process of developing and publishing their own field guide to the American River ecosystems. About the Field Guide This American River Field Guide Challenge Unit is a long-term, project-based unit comprised of a series of performance tasks that tie process and content together. One of many challenge units originally developed at the Gold River Discovery Center in Gold River, CA, the unit provides opportunities for students to construct their own meaning and to apply their knowledge to real world settings.
The challenge unit is created around real life issues. It fully engages students, fosters their critical thinking, and motivates them to demonstrate learning in new and creative ways. To complete this unit, they need to understand and apply grade level content standards, and will also be required to develop and demonstrate ability to plan carefully, work with others, communicate effectively, and make use of a variety of resources.
This idea for this unit was originally conceived by Heidi Dettwiller, Dona Jones, Kathy Brann, and Michele Flagler in 1996. Formally documented in 2004, it can now be used in classrooms throughout the Sacramento region.
. . . a wonderful addition to a sixth grade teacher’s classroom curriculum . . . it could be adapted for use by teachers and youth leaders of younger or older students . . . Beth Etgen, Education Director, Effie Yeaw Nature Center
"This unit is very well written and would be a wonderful addition to a sixth grade teacher’s classroom curriculum. Actually, it could be adapted for use by teachers and youth leaders of younger or older students. The unit is divided into five sections which move the students through the following tasks; researching, planning, writing, illustrating and publishing a field guide to our local American River ecosystems. The students end up with a wonderful journal of their own work that could encourage a life long interest in natural history," Beth Etgen, Education Director, Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Tips after Downloading: If you have trouble scrolling through the Field Guide document: • Use the down ↓ arrow on your computer keyboard to scroll through the page. • Use the arrows at the bottom of the PDF screen (similar to these < >)to page through the document.
