Hands On, Feet Wet: The Story of River Crossing Environmental Charter School

Hands On, Feet Wet: The Story of River Crossing Charter School (© 2007) reflects on the first five years of one teacher's quest to empower students and create a strong learning community through project-based environmental education experiences.

Arranged by months, the reader moves through the academic year learning about key practices and activities that weave together the fabric of the school culture.  Featuring student and community partner reflections, news articles, and work samples, Hands On, Feet Wet strives to inspire others to challenge the status quo model of education.

Originally published in 2007 and reprinted 2008 under a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, more than 2,500 copies were distributed free of charge. Although the print version is no longer available (although some clever entrepreneurs are selling their free copies on Amazon) readers can learn the lessons from this award-winning school by downloading the PDF version (35.5MB)

In addition to numerous local and state articles, Hands On, Feet Wet: The Story of River Crossing Environmental Charter School was reviewed in the journal Children, Youth and Environments, and the school was featured in Smart by Nature from the Center for Ecoliteracy and The Obama Education Plan: An Education Week Guide.

The teacher and the school received the following recognitions:

▶ Badger Bioneer, 2010
Sustain Dane

▶ Charter School Teacher of the Year, 2009
Wisconsin Charter Schools Association

▶ High Achieving Charter School of the Year, Gold Award, 2009
Wisconsin Charter Schools Association

▶ EdVisions/Gates Foundation Partner School, 2006

▶ Environmental Educator of the Year, 2005
Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education

▶ Conservation Educator of the Year, 2005
Wisconsin Conservation Congress

▶ True Spirit of Conservation, 2004
Wisconsin Waterfowl Association

▶ National Charter School Video Competition, 3rd Place, 2004
National Charter Schools Week

▶ K-12 EarthGuard Award, 2003
Wisconsin Association of Environmental Education