Exploratory+Programs+--+Enrichment+for+ALL


 * Anfara, Vincent A., Gayle Andrews, and Steven B. Mertens ** ** . “Exploratory Curriculum” //The Encyclopedia of Middle Grades Education//. IAP, 2005, pp. 195-196 **
 * The concept of exploratory curriculum is a cornerstone and integral component of middle level education. The concept brings together two critical elements of middle school organization: curriculum and exploration. Curriculum refers to the instructional program or plan to engage students in learning. Exploration is the act of exploring, which has multiple meanings such as investigating systematically, traveling over new territory for the purpose of discovery and becoming familiar with by experimentation. In middle level education, exploration includes “those offerings in the middle level school that encourage and allow students to explore new arenas of interest, both as specific courses and as methodology within courses” [Bergman, 1992, pg 179]. Broadly viewed, exploration applies to the entire middle level curriculum, though in practice it exists as a portion of the day in distinct exploratory courses [Brazee, 2000; George 2000/2001]. Exploratory curriculum is developmentally responsive to [the] young adolescent in middle level school. **
 * The purposes of this unique curriculum component are: (1) to be responsive to the developmental needs and characteristics of young adolescent learners, 10mto 15 year olds [George and Lawrence, 1982] (2) to provide a balance or extension of the curriculum [Curtis & Birdwell, 1977; George & awrence, 1982; Tanner & Tanner, 1980]; (3) to allow opportunities to “look into” or “try out” a particular area of interest [Briggs, 1920]. Participation in the exploratory curriculum allows young adolescents to develop areas of personal interest, a vocation or avocation, a leisure activity as well as to areas of disinterest or areas that they do not have the requisite aptitude, skills or motivation needed to pursue a particular area. Further, students’ lives can be greatly enriched when given opportunities in school to derive personal satisfaction and gratification from varied, exciting, and challenging activities that are not strictly academic [Romano & Georgiady, 1984]. Overall, exploratory curricula enhance young adolescents’ school experiences. **