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.
Some recent past expedition topics include:
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Ancients (2009-2010) - This expedition focused on the rich cultures of ancient Greece, Egypt and Rome.
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Community (2008-2009) - Students explored the meaning of "community", and different communities that impact our lives, during the course of this expedition.
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Europe & The Age of exploration (2007-2008) - Students crossed the Atlantic to study the explorers who braved the oceans to land in the Americas.
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The Native American Peoples (2006-2007) Students explored Native American Culture, beginning with the big picture and slowly coming to focus specifically on the Northwest and the Methow Valley.
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The Ancient Peoples of America (2005-2006)