Overview of Workshop

By responding to a need and desire for Fall “learning in the field” experiences for the entire middle school, the collaboration yielded a positive outdoor learning experience for students. New understanding and connections were made between students and their community due to the TOPOnexus way of learning.

HS Middle School (HSMS) was seeking start-of-the-year field trips, unique to each grade level and focused on the following:

• Getting outside

• Practicing real-world skills

• Doing team tasks

• Exploring and connecting with the local community 

TOPOnexus provided the following services, using the TOPO way of learning, in order to meet the identified needs of HSMS stated above:

• Custom design of Prep Work and Post Work

• Coaching of 3 Lead Teachers to deliver Prep and Post Work

• Custom design of 4 x 2-hour real-world experiences (Grades 5-8, 244 total students)

• Recruitment and onboarding of Community Connectors (15 volunteers)

• Recruitment and onboarding of Support Crew (18 adult volunteers)

• Facilitation of 4 x 2-hour real-world experiences downtown

• All materials needed

Impact & Deep Reach

244 Students

52 Adults

Outcomes

Middle School learners (grades 5-8) experienced a 50-minute Backyard Adventure, with each grade level having its own theme: 

• 5th Grade: This Place Matters

• 6th Grade: We All Need Water

• 7th Grade:  Real-World Stories

• 8th Grade:  Community Careers 

Collaboration

Our co-laboring was successful on multiple levels. We worked together to:

• Help learners feel empowered in their learning

• Facilitate real-world skills, i.e. introducing oneself, shaking hands, giving eye contact, speaking clearly, writing a thank you note

• Provide learning experiences that enhance HSPS curriculum

• Connect learners to their community

• Encourage deeper learning of each grade level theme

Wonder & Whoa!

What is Wonder & Whoa?

Without wonder, we cannot gain new perspectives or innovate. With wonder, we become lifelong learners. We are full of wonder. Whoa is something that stops you in your tracks and inspires, surprises, or shocks you. Together, wonder and whoa have the transformative power to create meaningful personalized learning.