PROGRAM
CURRICULUM STRUCTURE
The Schoolcraft curriculum is centered around the Expeditionary Learning Philosophy.
You may visit their website at http://www.elschools.org/aboutus/elhistory.html to
find out more. The Schoolcraft teachers build expeditions that draw together
personal experience and intellectual growth to promote self-discovery and construct
knowledge. We actively teach and model the Expeditionary
Learning Design Principles. Our Kindergarten crews made a brochure explaining
these principles in kid friendly terms.
Expeditions are in-depth investigations
into a topic or a learning area. These
expeditions incorporate ideas and learning goals from as many of the subject
areas as possible, knowing that the more you can associate one with another,
the better the understanding and retention of knowledge. The expeditions
aim to encourage student participation in the developmental process, as well
as for student proficiency in the topics studied.
The Minnesota Graduation Standards will be taught through the expedition framework
in all areas possible. We also strive to imbed specialist areas, such as art,
music, French, and physical education, into the expeditions. Some areas
may be taught separately, such as much of the mathematics curriculum.
Fieldwork is integral to all expeditions, in which the students go out into
the field to obtain knowledge and/or data for further use. All expeditions
will contain a service learning portion, as service itself is at the heart
of learning. Each expedition will culminate in a Celebration of Learning,
showcasing the projects and the learning of each student. Expeditions
will focus on project-based learning, aiming for a more in-depth understanding. Daily
work will be primarily within the expedition.
Assessment of students at Schoolcraft Learning Community will primarily be
through our portfolio system. Student scoring rubrics are developed with
students, and peer reviews are on-going within the classrooms. Portfolio
presentations are presented to parents during the final scheduled conference
of the school year.
Learning is an expedition into the unknown. We believe that adults should
guide students along this journey with care, compassion, and respect for students’ diverse
learning styles, backgrounds, and needs. The life skills of communication and
problem-solving are an integral part of what we teach at Schoolcraft Learning
Community.
In order to deliver this curriculum in a way that best serves the needs of
each learner, the school will surround the students with support from family,
staff, and community. In turn, learners will contribute to the community in
meaningful ways. It is our firm belief that the entire community will be in
the process of learning together.
Modeling life-long learning will be a strong focus for the school. On a regular
basis, we will provide family evenings focusing on such topics as stages in
child development, the charter school curriculum, how to be a family of learners,
and building a learning community. The curriculum will be designed for multi-age
groups in which team building, conflict management, cooperation, mentoring
and collaboration are learned and practiced. Families will also be encouraged
to participate in the classrooms, both as learners and as volunteers.
Our school will stem from the philosophy that education should be holistic.
That means students will be involved and pro-active in all aspects of their
own learning, including the structuring and maintenance of their environment
and the integrating of their own body, mind and spirit.
To view the Minnesota Graduation standards, go to http://education.state.mn.us/html/intro_acad_standards.htm.
Family Involvement
- The school's policy for promoting parent involvement and participation
will include the following:
- Families will be invited to participate in regular meetings and social
events sponsored by the school.
- Families will be invited to participate in classes with their children.
- Families will be encouraged to attend and participate in performances
by students during the school year.
- The proposed instructional methods of the school will be primarily experiential
and cooperative learning.
Special Education
Schoolcraft will identify and serve special education students by contracting
with specialists to provide assessment and support services according to
state guidelines.
Discipline
Schoolcraft has built its discipline policy on a foundation of conflict-management
processes and state law. Students choosing not to follow school expectations
will be disciplined according to our Family Handbook guidelines may face the
possibility of expulsion. Discipline policies will be reviewed and further
developed with input from parents, students and teachers.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Students in grades 3-8 will be tested in the spring using the Minnesota Comprehensive
Assessments. Informal assessment tools will be administered throughout the
school year. Academic benchmarks will be established each fall for grades 2-8
through Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests; the tests will be re-administered
in the spring to establish each student’s individual growth over the
course of the year. Students will be responsible for maintaining evidence
of their progress in their individual portfolios, which will be presented at
the end of the school year. Portfolio presentations are a part of the advancement
criteria in grades 4-8.
Sponsor Information
Schoolcraft Learning Community is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of
Education. Our Sponsor Liaison is Stephanie Olsen, Minnesota Department
of Education, 1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville, MN 55113, (651)582-8348. Our
sponsor maintains an active role in our school through bi-yearly site visits,
and frequent communication. See the MDE website for additional information… http://education.state.mn.us/mde/index.html
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