1. Implementing Expeditionary Learning Curriculum for ESL by Travis Washmon

2. What’s First? The curriculum will be useless without a properly functioning team of interdisciplinary teachers at each grade level. The EL Schools Professional Development Course is perfect for team building while also preparing teachers for teaching in an Expeditionary Learning class.

3. Training Dates All core teachers are encouraged to attend from July 25-29 in Vancouver, WA, from July 16-20 in Baltimore, MD, from July 23-27 in Boston, MA, or from June 21-23 in Tempe Arizona. Cost for each course is $2000 which includes lodging and meals, or $1200 for the course only.

4. Scheduling During Summer planning sessions (June 18- 22) administration should begin creating schedules for ESL students before section selections begin. The number of LOTE students should be reduced by 68 (the number of ESL students) and should result in a more easily scheduled LOTE period.

5. Scheduling Continued The grade level partitioned scheduling system currently used will not allow for effective implementation of the curriculum. Scheduling should conform to modern methods of mixed ability grouping and fixed patterns.

6. Example Schedules MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday English Computer Sci.EnglishCharacter EdComputer Sci.English Math Science DEAR History Gym ESL (Math)ESL (History)ESL (Science)ESL (ELAR)ESL (Expedition) MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday English Computer Sci.EnglishCharacter Ed.Computer Sci.English Math Science DEAR History Gym LOTE ESL Student Schedule Non-ESL Student Schedule

7. Communicating With Parents All parents of ESL students should be sent notification of curriculum changes and should be invited to an open information session at the school before the first week of school (August 13). Mrs. Husman and I will prepare all notifications and will present the information session with the help of translators (Mrs. Miller and Mr. Rejepov). The information packet should include permission slips for community service and expeditions that will require off-campus travel, as well as a course description with objectives and the names of all teachers involved in implementation.

8. Communicating with parents continued Weekly progress reports should be sent home to parents requiring a signature. Mrs. Husman and I will work with core teachers to prepare these. Progress reports will include service hour logs, grades for core subjects, and teacher comments on behavior and language acquisition progress. These notices should be prepared by qualified translators in the native tongue of the parent.

9. Resource Preparation Funds should be allocated for expeditions as follows: $20 per student per month for expeditions (this should be taken from the education fund and not the general fund) State resources may be used for this as it is required for the curriculum. Course materials will not be required as all course materials will be provided by core teachers.

10. Resource Prep Continued Classrooms will need to be allocated as there is a shortage of classrooms. Mrs. Smith and I will work on a rotating schedule with other teachers. Mrs. Husman and I will make a list of all languages for which translators will be needed. At this time, only Spanish, Turkish, and Arabic are needed. There is potential need for Tigrinya, and Orominga translators. This need could change throughout the year as more students enroll.

11. Cross-Curricular Cooperation Meetings will be held before teacher in- service begins to sync lesson plans with expectations for the first six weeks of core class supports and to inform core teachers of planned expeditions. At this time Mrs. Husman and I will plan weekly meetings with grade level core teachers for brainstorming, feedback, and support. The tentative schedule is 6 th grade: Mrs. Husman Mondays at 3:15pm, 7 th : Mr Washmon and Mrs. Husman Tuesdays at 3:15pm and 8 th : Mr. Washmon on Thursdays at 3:15pm.

12. Any lesson plan changes or changes in scheduling should be discussed at these meetings Behavior and progress of students should be discussed at these meetings Proposed changes to ESL curriculum should be discussed at these meetings At least once a month the Dean of Education should attend each grade level meeting Cross Curricular Cooperation

13. First Days of School During the first days of school problems will certainly arise. It is important to review the ideals and procedures learned at the EL workshops for expeditionary learning classroom management skills as they are very different than a normal stationary class’s. Adjust on the go, evolve as necessary and always stay positive in the face of challenges, we are an example.

14. Possible Challenges Classroom shortages – This will no doubt be an issue. But because we adapt and overcome think of alternatives to a traditional classroom (beanbag chairs in a quiet hallway or the parking lot if the weather is good… be creative, but get approval first) Large numbers in a single class – This is unlikely, but if it happens think of it as a blessing as expeditions are performed in groups anyway. The more groups there are the more likely new and unexpected learning will take place through peer teaching. Ask for parent volunteers to help maintain order on expeditions and practice your management skills early and often. Money problems – We are Title I, this is always an issue. Plan for the expedition as if you will have the money, but also plan a back up that costs less, or even nothing just in case the funds do not come through. Culture clashes – This is America, the land of inevitable culture clashes. Know you students before they know you and learn how to head these off early. Do your research and life will be much easier for you. Uncooperative parents – It will happen, but don’t give up. Make phone calls, home visits, and even send pre-emptive thank you notes. If they don’t come around, the student will at least see that you care and that matters.

15. Conclusion This is an ongoing process and will not be perfected in one year. Learn from your students and you will know what direction to go. Good luck and fight the good fight. Education is a revolution that is never won. "Above all, always be capable of feeling deeply any injustice committed against anyone, anywhere in the world. This is the most beautiful quality in a revolutionary." -Che Guevara