Big Moves
Mixed-Age Cohorts
Overview Creating mixed-age cohorts allows students to learn from each other in unique ways while also building a range of interpersonal skills. These experiences enable younger students to learn from older students, give older students valuable leadership opportunities, and serve as community-building experiences across grade levels. Often, the makeup of these groups carries over…
Big Moves
Career Pathway Programs
Overview: Career pathway programs in K–12 education create opportunities for learners to explore, experience, and prepare for their futures. These programs connect academic knowledge to the tools, skills, and opportunities needed to succeed in today’s workplaces. As learners move through a progression—from early career awareness and exploration to hands-on experiences like internships and apprenticeships—they…
Big Moves
Physical Space Design
Overview Physical spaces, when designed with intention, can enable the Learning Model to be fully embraced by a school, shaping the learning environment to align with the Portrait of a Learner. The guiding principle is that form drives function and that both influence and reflect a school’s culture. Thoughtful care for physical space demonstrates…
Big Moves
Master Schedule Redesign
Overview School-centered schedules often focus on compliance and efficiency over learning. Students move through the instructional day, most often dictated by bells, learning content in isolation. In a learner-centered system, time is prioritized to ensure that a school day provides opportunities for learners to engage deeply in meaningful work that supports their progress toward…
Big Moves
Advisory
Advisory is a recurring and consistent small-learning community with dedicated time in the daily or weekly schedule intended to provide opportunities to cultivate a sense of belonging, support learner agency, and explore strengths and interests. In Expeditionary Learning schools this structure is called “Crew” and it can go by many different names. It also…
Blog
Slow Down to Go Fast: 6 Pillars to Prioritizing Community and Relationships
As educators, we understand that a classroom is more than just a place for academic instruction; it’s a vibrant community where every learner should feel valued and connected. The first weeks of school are essential for establishing this classroom culture, helping to smooth the transition back to school for both students and teachers. Embracing…