Expeditionary Learning
Expeditionary learning means that teaching is structured around specific projects based in science or social studies, such as researching trees or studying about civil rights. Rather than segmenting academic skills into unconnected areas, expeditionary learning allows students to develop their reading, writing, critical thinking, and math skills under the umbrella of a unified theme.
The Expeditionary Learning Process
Students at Manzanita SEED learn by going on intense, rich learning expeditions. To strengthen our commitment to this process we go through a review each year through Expeditionary learning to check in on our implementation of these practices. Teachers are expected to develop these units of study with their partners and then review them each year to add more depth. We also analyze school culture and climate, family integration and how leadership helps to facilitate this implementation. Once we have garnered scores that are supported with evidence we can use this information to set goals for the next year. As a result of our last Implementation review we created CREW practices, character curriculum, had murals made, started to celebrate and recognize students more for high achievement both in character and academics and changed the way we did our professional development.
To start our backwards planning for expeditions we use a template to make sure that we are addressing the essential questions, developing authentic assessments, are addressing the standards and integrating multiple subjects. These standard-target-assessment forms help us to guide our thinking when planning expeditions and can be used as a valuable tool when calendaring the unit.
Explore the expedition content map which gives an overview of the expeditions students participate in as well as what subjects are addressed: Expedition Content Map, or dive into the detailed version.
In order to meet the needs of our mission as it applies to dual language and expeditionary learning our expeditions must be connected across language throughout the day. Below you will find some sample calendars that our teachers use to make sure that concepts are taught and reinforced in both languages.
To start our backwards planning for expeditions we use a template to make sure that we are addressing the essential questions, developing authentic assessments, are addressing the standards and integrating multiple subjects. These standard-target-assessment forms help us to guide our thinking when planning expeditions and can be used as a valuable tool when calendaring the unit.
Explore the expedition content map which gives an overview of the expeditions students participate in as well as what subjects are addressed: Expedition Content Map, or dive into the detailed version.
In order to meet the needs of our mission as it applies to dual language and expeditionary learning our expeditions must be connected across language throughout the day. Below you will find some sample calendars that our teachers use to make sure that concepts are taught and reinforced in both languages.
| Matter and Energy Calendar |
| Cycles of Life Expedition |
| Community Calendar |