Global Learners, Local Landscapes: First and Second Grade Field Studies

Field Studies is part of the Lower School experience at French International for first through fourth graders. 

First graders had their field studies on campus on May 1. Christine and Clifton Bruno from the Wasco Tribe spent the day on campus with the students. The day started with a presentation on salmon and how important salmon is and was to indigenous communities. After the presentation, the classes rotated through two different stations. Clifton took students to make games in the meadow using sticks and string. They created toys using the materials and then played together and independently. Christine took a group of students into the French International forest to collect herbs and other materials to brew a tea. She taught the students to identify different plants and showed them which ones were safe to consume.

Field studies connects with the first graders' unit of, Living things are interconnected in our local environment.

Second graders headed off campus to Cooper Mountain Nature Park for their field studies. After they arrived at the park, they went on a hike together. They looked for different plants and animals, trying to identify them with a scavenger hunt. They had lunch and spent time playing. In the afternoon, they painted the landscapes of the park with art teacher, Alex.

Second graders are exploring the central idea of “Urban life impacts wildlife.” They were able to connect their field studies to what they are learning in class. They examined animal habitats and how these habitats are impacted by urban development.

Each field studies connects with what students are learning and each year builds on the previous years’ experience. Third graders head off campus for a two-night camping trip, and fourth-grade field studies is four days and three nights.