FIELDGUIDES CURRICULUM

Taking notes in a Miwok Garden
At the heart of everything we do is the belief that living and learning outside helps students truly connect with themselves, each other, and the content they are learning. We take a hands-on, place-based approach to learning by teaching relevant topics through immersive activities. The curricular focus of each FIELDGUIDES program is influenced by the specific requests of each classroom teacher, and can cover a variety of topics from natural history and ecology to human impacts and historical perspectives.
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​In general, our academic instruction and activities are aligned with California’s State History-Social Science Framework and the Next Generation Science Standards. FIELDGUIDES uses several lessons and activities derived from Project Learning Tree, Project WILD, and Project WET. We strongly believe in the importance of social & emotional learning and follow California’s Social & Emotional Guiding Principles.     
We use a variety of instructional practices that help engage students and put them at the forefront of their own learning including:
  • Hands-on activities & interactive games
  • Small group discussions
  • Guided explorations & hiking
  • Collaborative problem solving challenges
  • Detailed field observations & data collection
  • Student-driven projects & investigations 
In addition to the learning opportunities facilitated by our amazing fieldguides, we believe that children need time to creatively play and explore on their own. All our programs have unstructured, chaperone supervised, free-time built into each day. This time helps kids deepen their relationships with each other and the wonders of nature. 
Check out our Educational Philosophy & Curriculum Guide to learn more about FIELDGUIDES' pedagogy and the topics we cover.​
"If facts are the seeds that later produce knowledge and wisdom, then the emotions and the impressions of the senses are the fertile soil in which the seeds must grow." -Rachel Carson
Contact us today! FIELDGUIDES INC. (650)969-6325. info@fieldguides.org