Aves Compartidas

Place-based learning for Spanish immersion programs

  • Shared birds

    Through the study of migratory birds, Aves Compartidas connects students from Willamette Valley, Oregon, with students from the Laja River Basin in Mexico. Birds are a lens to weave together the ecology and culture of these communities and draw connections between distant ecosystems.

  • Shared curriculum

    Third through fifth-grade students along the Pacific Flyway connect through migrating birds. They explore invertebrates and watersheds and engage in stewardship projects and pen-pal exchanges. Each module is culturally relevant and integrates science across social studies, language arts, geography, and art.

  • Shared experiences

    Bird migration is a lens for students to engage in local and relevant discussions on biodiversity, watersheds, and social responsibility. Students discover how they and their environment connect across thousands of miles by sharing experiences and conservation efforts.

Shared values

ECO and Aves Compartidas have come together through their commitment to environmental education, conservation, and cross-cultural engagement. This program is designed by and for our communities to ensure our curriculum resonates with the culturally specific needs of our diverse audiences. Through the interconnectedness of these distant regions, students see the global impact of local ecosystems. Together, we bring a unique approach to conservation and climate action.

Hands-on and multidisciplinary

From virtual exchanges to pen pal letters, our curriculum emphasizes outdoor learning and real-world conservation efforts. Young learners engage with pollinator-plant relationships, while older students delve into avian life cycles and habitat protection. Students examine the migratory patterns of birds and the vital role of watersheds while forming relationships across borders.

  • Students expand their vocabulary and comprehension skills through bilingual reading and writing activities in watershed health, bird migration, and international ecosystems.

  • Lessons explore the cultural significance of migratory birds and their impact on human societies, encouraging students to think about conservation within the context of global citizenship.

  • Students learn about geography through the flight paths of migratory birds. They map the ecosystems along their pathways and the human impacts on these diverse landscapes.

  • Creative projects allow students to express their understanding and appreciation of birds and their environments, fostering a deep personal connection to nature.