Colorado Correlations is a resource for educators wishing to use environmental education activities with the certainty that the activities they choose will contribute to achieving district and state education standards.
Colorado Correlations provides that assurance. State education standards are being revised; completion is expected in 2011. Until 2012-13, the standards in place now, and used in Correlations, will continue to be used for assessments.
(If you are already familiar with Colorado Correlations, you can go directly to the database.)
A common approach used in the activities is to use wildlife and environmental subjects as 'catalysts' to engage children and focus their attention. Science, mathematics, reading and writing—any subject—are taught more effectively and retained better when there is interest and attention.
To that end, activities from projects WILD/Aquatic WILD, Water Education for Teachers (WET), Food, Land, and People (FLP), and Learning Tree (PLT) are now correlated to Colorado's student achievement standards for science, mathematics, reading, writing, geography, visual arts, and history!
Colorado Correlations is fast and easy to use: For example, you would first select the 'content area' and grade level you're teaching. Click 'search' and a list of 'topics' with their corresponding state standards results. Clicking on one of these topics opens a list of specific activities for the topic with further information for each. You can also limit all search results to just WILD activities (or PLT, WET, or FLP) by checking the WILD box at the beginning!
There are many ways to develop your teaching plan using the Colorado Correlations Database. The best way is to try it and experiment! If you need assistance, there is a Using Correlations link on the main page assistance.
Not familiar with one of the projects? Would you like to learn more about it? Go to the Teacher Workshop page, a calendar with details about training opportunities. (Links to program Websites are also provided on the left side of this page.) Also, feel free to write to any of the project coordinators, listed in the box to the right.