Shifting Gears

Shifting Gears: Promoting Rochester's Two-Wheeled Revolution

Grade(s):

6

Using the bicycle as a lens for a year-long focus, sixth grade students at the Genesee Community Charter School in Rochester, New York learned how they can make a difference in their own community by engaging in community activism. 

Colorado Fish

Colorado Fish Field Guide Poster

Grade(s):

1, 2

First and second-grade students at the Pikes Peak School of Expeditionary Learning in Falcon, Colorado researched specific freshwater fish within the Colorado area. They investigated and wrote about their habitats, their feeding habits, and their physical adaptations.

Eye of the Storm
The Eye of the Storm Learning Expedition: Illuminating Standards Video

The class of 2015 at Casco Bay High School for Expeditionary Learning in Portland, ME focused their junior year’s work on climate change. In the fall, they studied both the chemistry and the policy.

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Hemlock Gorge
You Grotto Go to Hemlock Gorge: Illuminating Standards Video

Assessment can be a pretty scary word to students. But, does it have to be? What would assessments that excite students and truly reveal their understanding look like?

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Mohammed and the Number Genie
Mohammed and the Number Genie: Illuminating Standards Video

What would it look like if we had a project that made students want to persevere? What even makes them want to persevere?

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reVOLT
ReVOLT: Illuminating Standards Video

At King Middle School in Portland, Maine, 8th graders plunged into ReVolt, a 5-month, interdisciplinary expedition using design to solve a real world problem. No core academic subject was left out as the students actively engaged in multifaceted projects across classrooms.

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Peacekeepers of Chicago
Peacekeepers of Chicago: Illuminating Standards Video

What happens when students take ownership over their education and push their learning beyond the walls of their school buildings to activate change in their communities? They develop impactful and transformational projects like the Peacekeepers of Chicago.

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Wolf
The Wolf That Would Forgive: Illuminating Standards Video

As human beings, we are compelled to achieve quality when we are deeply invested in the work—when our hearts are fully engaged in the task at hand. For young people, classroom thinking and learning is no different.

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Snakes Are Born This Way
Snakes Are Born This Way: Illuminating Standards Video

These days, it seems everyone is talking about grit, perseverance, 21st century skills, and noncognitive skills, but no one seems to be talking about courage. What does academic courage look like and what happens when students have the courage to overcome fear?

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Acts of Courage
Small Acts of Courage: Illuminating Standards Video

How can rich learning experiences become the evidence that we value in education? At King Middle School in Portland, Maine, students demonstrate evidence of their learning by creating powerful projects that benefit their community.

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Six Words
Six-Word Memoir Self-Portraits - Illuminating Standards Video

According to education researcher, Camille Farrington (2013), a strong correlation exists between success in school and students having these four academic mindsets: 1) I belong in this academic community; 2) I can succeed at this; 3) My ability and competence grow with my effort; and 4) This wor

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Economics Illustrated
Economics Illustrated: Illuminating Standards Video

“Let me try and remember...” -- High Tech High graduate

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