Experiential Learning
Field Trips
Field trips enhance learning and apply concepts through practical experiences by visiting local workshops, museums, markets and other related events out and about in Chennai. Field trips are used to enhance lessons or as culminating activities. Field trips offer opportunities for integrating learning between subject areas.
At least a week prior to taking students on a field trip, parents will be notified and asked to complete a permission slip. All students going out of field trips use the school provided transport to and from the field trip locations.
Elementary Classroom without Walls
As part of our Elementary School curriculum, we believe it is important for students to be given the opportunity to experience learning in the classroom as well as outside the classroom. Therefore, our students have multiple opportunities to study in a classroom without walls; on field trips around Chennai, in Service Learning, a school sleepover for students in Grade 4, and a three-night overnight stay for Grade 5 within Tamil Nadu state. In the past, we have visited Puducherry and Yelagiri.
5th Grade Classroom Without Walls (CWoW) provides students with a unique cultural, personal, interpersonal and environmental experience that they would not normally experience within the regular classroom walls. Students learn, reflect, and grow as individuals.
The aim of CWoW is to
- Develop greater self-management, independence, social skills and classroom/grade level relationships
- Enhance cultural sensitivity and provide authentic, direct exposure to India in order to nurture a better understanding and appreciation of Indian culture
- Foster a greater sense of both community and service by developing new connections as well as strengthen existing ones
- Increase respect for the environment, other individuals and different cultures
- To challenge students physically and mentally
- To prepare students for week long Week Without Walls programs in Middle School
- Take learning out of the school and into the real world
The School covers the cost of the overnight Classroom Without Walls trips.
Middle School Week Without Walls
As part of the Middle School curriculum, our students are given the opportunity to experience learning outside the classroom with Week Without Walls (WWW). This learning experience provides students with a cultural, personal, interpersonal and environmental experience to broaden their horizons.
Week Without Walls seeks to
- Give students the chance to participate in experiences that promote the development and reflection of the attributes in our Vision for a Learner.
- Provide exposure to India in order to nurture a better understanding and appreciation of Indian culture.
- Develop relationships with peers and build community within grade levels.
- Promote personal independence and responsibility and to challenge students physically and mentally.
- Promote respect for the environment through exposure to diverse ecosystems.
Discover more about Week Without Walls
High School Discover India
Each year the High School suspends classes for one week to engage in experiential education throughout India. Groups of 10 - 12 mixed grade level students join two faculty chaperones and take local transport, interact with the local community and explore the magic of India.
Courses range from adventure activities, like rock climbing and rafting; to creative pursuits, such as ceramics and photography; to service activities, like working with local students; to more academic pursuits, like investigating the impact of the environment on the flora and fauna. Those traveling together on a trip form a “Discovery Crew” and meet throughout the year. Students say that Discover India is one of the most memorable experiences of high school!
Learn more about our Discovery Program
