|
Expeditionary Learning, or ExL, is a program for 6th, 7th and 8th graders at Mountain Shadows Middle School. The program was established in 1995.
It is based on the principle that students of all ages, learning styles, and ability levels not only can learn, but also want to learn. ExL is designed to provide a powerful learning environment through the use of integrated thematic study units, reinforced by real-life excursions and hands-on projects. This combination captures students' natural passion to learn and develops curiosity, skills, knowledge, and courage needed in today's society.
Expeditions are structured to challenge students to extend their learning beyond textbooks to the world around them. They learn to work as part of a group, planning communal meals and necessary equipment for expeditions, sharing decision-making, and acquiring authentic assessment and time-management skills for long and short expeditions. They work on student-designed cooperative projects as well as individual assignments as part of a varied and comprehensive learning program. By the time students have finished 8th grade, they have taken part in approximately 50 expeditions.
Throughout the school year, students develop personal field guides for each overnight trip. They must research the plants, animals, insects, and minerals likely to be found on the expedition. They then organize the data and present it as a field guide, including the scientific and common names, descriptions, Native American uses, field observations, and a drawing of each species. Each student designs an individual format for his or her field guide.
Expeditionary Learning stresses mastery of the curriculum and skills. Students learn that "good enough" is not good enough. The grading system in 7th and 8th grades includes grades of A, B, or F --- no C's and D's.
If a student does not achieve an A or B on a project or test, he or she has an opportunity to redo the assignment for a better grade. However, on the second try, the maximum grade is B.
Students also have the opportunity to request extra-credit assignments to bolster their grades and raise them to A or B level.
ExL students require individual equipment in order to participate in the range of activities and trips. This typically includes a daypack, sleeping bag, eating utensils, appropriate outdoor clothing (wool socks, for example), flashlight, water bottle, and hiking boots. Some trips involve attending performances, so students will also need appropriate 'dress-up' clothing. For most students, the majority of the needed equipment is already on hand and little shopping is required. Some equipment responsibilities are shared by student camping groups -- for example, tents, cook stoves, pots and pans, tarps, lanterns, and non-perishable food.
Parental support and interest are essential components to any child's success in school, even in a conventional program. In ExL, parent involvement is even more important. While time and work constraints may differ, every parent can contribute in some way to support and enrich Expeditionary Learning. Some parents are able to attend trips as drivers and chaperones (and they enjoy it). Others contribute in ways less direct, but just as important.
Some of the ways in which parents have given their support to ExL include recruiting and organizing drivers and chaperones, organizing fundraisers, writing foundation grants, tutoring, creating websites, monthly newsletters, meeting with district officials, and classroom visits to share expertise with students.
There are monthly ExL Parent meetings to keep everyone informed and to plan fund raising events and expeditions. Parents have formed the Expeditionary Learning Parents Association, better known as the ExLPA.
It should be no surprise that there are costs for many of the ExL trips and outings. During the school year a variety of fundraisers are available to help offset the individual expenses. Pasta Feed and Silent Auction, Candy Sale, Halloween Dance are some examples of our fundraisers. Some students raise the entire year's expenses through these fundraisers.
Since the founding of ExL in 1995, students have participated in some memorable learning expeditions. Many of these are now annual events; others have evolved into new trips and adventures. In some cases, availability of a particular facility will determine when, or even if a trip will take place. New destinations are added during the school year as the curriculum continually integrates the interests of the students.
A sampling of previous expeditions:
One- week at Yosemite Institute (annual), Monterey Bay Aquarium, Lassen National Park, SF Museum of Modern Art, Chaw'se Indian Grinding Rock State Park, Annadel & Other State Parks, Sacramento Wildlife Refuge, San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Opera, California Gold Country, Marin Headlands/Hawk Hill, China Camp/Angel Island, Palace of Fine Arts, Pomo Canyon, Point Reyes.
| 
