What is an Enrichment Cluster? Enrichment clusters allow students and facilitators who share a common interest to come together for a specified time each week to produce an authentic product, performance, or service based on that interest.

Guidelines for Enrichment Clusters The Golden Rule for enrichment clusters is that all cluster activities are focused on the development of a product, performance or service for an authentic audience. All learning takes place for application purposes. John Dewey (1939) referred to this as “collateral learning,” valued for its immediate relevancy.

Teachers choose the cluster they wish to facilitate and students choose the one in which they wish to participate. Students are grouped across grade levels by interest areas. There are no lesson plans!

Develop multiple talents within one cluster through the division of labor. Guide clusters with advanced content and authentic methods that a practicing professional in that field would use. How-to books can be a great help.

Set aside designated blocks of time for enrichment clusters. Suspend the customs of regular school, such as grade level grouping, group size, and meeting spaces.

Enrichment Clusters are:  During the school day  Cross grade level  Small group  Interest-based  Student driven  Result in a creative product or performance  Facilitated by teachers, staff, parents and community volunteers  Research-based