Learning Expeditions

Learning Expeditions are the primary means of organizing curriculum in Expeditionary Learning schools.  They involve in-depth investigations of compelling real-world topics that cross multiple subject areas and typically span several months. While every Learning Expedition is unique, each one includes the following features:

Big Ideas – While Learning Expeditions are inter-disciplinary and can cover many topics, they are always guided by one “big” over-arching idea, often with one compelling question to guide study.

Learning Targets – Learning Expeditions begin with specific academic goals, or learning targets, which are aligned with City and State standards and curricular requirements.  Learning targets can be long-term, i.e., for the entire expedition, or short term, covering only specific units embedded in the expedition.  These targets help teachers, as well as students, measure their progress against articulated goals.

Fieldwork – In Learning Expeditions, learning takes place both inside and outside of the classroom. Fieldwork is an integral element of a learning expedition, grounding students’ learning in the world beyond the classroom by conducting research, visiting museums and other sites, and gathering data from authentic sources.  

Use of Outside Experts – An important part of student fieldwork is giving students access to experts in the fields they are studying.  Experts not only give students dynamic access to information, but wherever possible help train students in professional skills and techniques in the subjects they are studying.

Literacy Across the Curriculum – In all Expeditions, regardless of the main content focus area, literacy plays a key role. As part of our belief that literacy should be present across the curriculum, literacy practices and strategies are integrated within learning expedition content to increase the instructional time devoted to reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Products – As a part of a Learning Expedition, students are expected to produce high-quality work. Expedition products can include essays, projects, or presentations. To produce excellent work, students take their projects through multiple drafts and incorporate critique from their teachers and their peers.

Authentic Applications and Service – A Learning Expedition is most compelling for students when the products and activities benefit the greater community and are viable outside the classroom.  For example, this can involve sharing findings with a local agency or the production of a business plan that is submitted to sources for funding.

Presentations of Learning – Learning Expeditions culminate with the students presenting or otherwise demonstrating their learning to an audience. The stakes are raised because students know from the outset that they will be sharing their work with others who will be giving it a critical eye.