By Cris Alarcon, InEDC Writer.
PLACERVILLE, Calif. — April 23, 2025
Green Valley Elementary (GV), part of the Rescue Union School District (RUSD), recently took its third-grade class on an enriching field trip to the Maidu Historic Site in Roseville on April 3rd. Students, teachers, and parents came together to explore, learn, and connect with the land and history of the Sierra Foothills dating back hundreds of years.
Guided by highly trained docents, groups of third graders toured the Maidu Historic Site and Museum, navigating through exhibits of artifacts, nature trails, creeks, and encounters with local wildlife.
As they entered the trail, students observed petroglyphs carved into large granite boulders – offering a powerful, firsthand look into the ancient artistry of the Maidu people. From there, the experience deepened into lessons about life in Maidu territory – how respect guided their relationship with plants, animals, and each other, how they coexisted with the California Grizzly Bear, and how pine trees were used for both baby food and wound care.
Third-grade teacher Mrs. Wood shares what this field trip means for student learning: “This field trip allowed our students the opportunity to interact with the Maidu culture and learn about its history, all while having so much fun! My students loved being able to walk amongst the sacred rocks, peer over the petroglyphs, and play the stick game. As we continue our classroom lessons on California tribes, we will refer back to our experience at Maidu over and over again.”
This experience reflects GV’s continued dedication to expanding educational boundaries by blending real-world experiences with in-class instruction. Following the trip, GV third graders are bringing their learning back into the classroom, connecting their experiences to California History through literacy lessons, experimenting with static electricity by rubbing quartz on sandstone, and even designing math-based probability games inspired by traditional Maidu games using popsicle sticks.
El Dorado County and the surrounding Foothills Region offer so much for young learners to discover. GV and RUSD remain committed to serving as a bridge between past and present, empowering students to build a future grounded in knowledge and connection.
For more information about Green Valley Elementary School, please visit: https://www.mygreenvalleyschool.com/
For more information about Rescue School District, please visit: https://www.rescueusd.org/
