Part 1: To the Teacher
To the Teacher Introduction
Teachers and students all over Virginia are becoming involved in caring for Virginia's environment. This Project Action Guide includes a variety of projects, with step-by-step instructions from planning through closure, resources readily available to teachers, ways to make student efforts a recognized part of a statewide project, and much more.
Upper elementary and middle school students often feel strongly about environmental issues but lack the skills and information necessary to take responsible and appropriate action. This publication can help teachers in upper elementary grades to channel this student interest and enthusiasm into productive learning experiences that result in positive environmental outcomes. The projects provide a structured approach to open-ended problem solving. With teachers serving as facilitators and advisors, students can benefit from defining and addressing problems within a real-world context.
Some projects presented in this publication may take several months to complete; others are shorter term. Time frames will vary with individual project plans.
Through these projects, teachers and students become part of Virginia's growing network of people who are making a difference.