project-based (expeditionary) learning (para ver en español, oprima aquí)

At Mundo Verde, we believe that how children learn is just as important as what they learn.

Our curriculum is designed around expeditions – interactive, hands-on projects that spark curiosity, promote active learning, encourage teamwork, build character, and capitalize on children’s innate spirit of adventure. 

By undertaking comprehensive studies of real-world issues, students learn to make connections, understand diverse perspectives, develop conclusions, and generalize to big ideas.

See an example of our Kindergarten students' expedition below!

kindergarten: love water, save water

 

Throughout the Kindergarten expedition on water, students investigated the answers to the following questions:  Where does water come from? Where does water go? The expedition consisted of two case studies. In the Spanish classroom, the case study focused on water appreciation and conservation. In the English classroom, students learned about properties of water and the water cycle.

Students focused on the following learning targets: 
  • I can construct the water cycle.
  • I can list and describe different types of water bodies.
  • I can predict what will float and what will sink.
  • I can represent water using a variety of artistic media.
  • I can write and llustrate a persuasive message to foster saving water.

For more in-depth research, students had an expert visit from Kurt Moser of Earthworks, who talked to students about various bodies of water and where we can find water. Students also performed fieldwork at Rock Creek Park, where they integrated their knowledge about water movement with real-life application at Peirce Mill. Through discussion of the limited quantity of drinking water in the world, students learned how and why we must take care of the water we have, and the extent to which water is integral to our lives.