EXPEDITIONS

Expeditions are the core of The Community School's methodology.  Although some curricular skills are taught separately, for the most part, students acquire knowledge and skills through learning expeditions that cut across and make connections among disciplines.  Each expedition has specific and well-defined academic, service and physical goals.  All expeditions culminate with exhibitions of final products that must meet high standards.  These products are the medium for students to synthesize what they have learned and to demonstrate how they can use that knowledge.

The essential idea behind expeditions is that students learn more through direct, authentic experiences than by simply sitting in a classroom listening to a teacher talk about such things.  Expeditionary Learning harnesses the child's natural passion to learn and is a powerful method for helping children develop the curiosity, knowledge, skills and personal qualities they need for successful adulthood.

"EUROPE & THE AGE OF EXPLORATION"

2007-2008 Expedition

We have traveled to the deep jungles of South America, through Central America and Mexico to study the Incas, Aztecs & Mayas. Last year we studied the diverse native people of North America. This year, students will cross the Atlantic to study the explorers who braved the oceans to land in the Americas. We will ponder such questions as: Why did people of the sea-faring nations of Europe risk their lives to explore unmapped territories? Why was this time period called the “Great Age of Exploration”? Who were the explorers and where were they from?

We will also look at what was happening in the arts during the latter part of this age of exploration; Leonardo da Vinci to Monet to Shakespeare. We will study the geography and countries of Europe and find out where some of our ancestors came from.

So….. climb aboard as we embark on a fabulous adventure of learning about the people, places and events that shaped the world we live in today.

Holiday Performance 2007

Shakespeare's Twelfth Night

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"The Native American Peoples "

2006-2007 Expedition

The exploration of Native American Culture - beginning with the big picture and slowly coming to focus specifically on the Northwest and the Methow Valley.

Artist Dan Donnelly shows students the art of

creating a totem pole.

A brainstorm of what we know.....

Presenting new found knowledge        

EXPEDITION NIGHT 2007

A model ready for Expedition Night 2007

A student presents her work

Student project ready for presentation

Students present their work to an authentic audience

Students demonstrate their weaving skills

Storyteller and musician, Dayton Edmunds, shares his rich history

The Holiday Performance - 2006

THE TOTEM TALE

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"The Ancient Peoples of America"

The Holiday Performance 2005

Masks for the Great Kapok Tree performance

Creating backdrops for the play

Making wings for costumes

Play rehearsal

Blue Bell Cafe Art Show and Auction 2006

Learning about food service with Tess Hoke

Young chefs at Local 98856

Creating copper art for Blue Bell Auction

Felting project for Auction

Entertaining guests on the patio of Twisp River Pub

The Science Fair 2006