Term

Summer 8-9-2016

Capstone

Thesis

Degree Name

MAT

Primary Advisor/Dissertation Chair

Thereasa Gluek

Secondary Advisor/Reader One

Rebecca Palmer

Peer-Reviewer/Reader Two

Daniel Sullivan

Abstract

The research question addressed in this project was, how are the components of Expeditionary Learning used to design an interdisciplinary, project-based expedition at a middle school grade level? It documents the creation of an interdisciplinary unit for a seventh grade classroom using components from Expeditionary Learning. The author uses research on Expeditionary Learning and related educational philosophies to incorporate different structures and components into the design of the curriculum. The unit includes such components as community connections, fieldwork and case studies. It also outlines different classroom structures and protocols that can be used to deliver instruction. The capstone documents some of the challenges facing teachers as they work to design interdisciplinary, project-based units at their own schools. It discusses the specific needs of teachers and the role of administrators in creating an environment that makes it possible for teachers to collaborate in order to create interdisciplinary units of study.

Research Methodology

Curriculum Development

Keywords

Community Building, Curriculum, Interdisciplinary Teaching, project-based learning

Included in

Education Commons

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