Water is life; likewise, the life of a community is sustained as the experiences, expertise, and knowledge of one generation are passed down to the next. The Drawing From the Well curriculum was developed and implemented with students in northern New Mexico over 25 years ago (Goldberg et al., 1998). The curriculum has been re-imagined for teachers to flexibly facilitate community-based learning for any grade level and any content area, ensuring the interests of the students guide the learning. The primary goal of the curriculum is to drive student learning founded in place-based cultural, historical, linguistic, and/or environmental beliefs, values, and traditions. 

Maintaining the heart of the original curriculum, the 2025 version of Drawing From the Well provides students with ample opportunity to develop individualized projects of inquiry that connect them with their peers, families, elders, and community members and leaders. The relationships students develop over time create personal pathways for them to value the depth of knowledge and expertise available to them in their own community. Their place-based learning simultaneously strengthens their identities while building their capacity to carry on their lineage of values, beliefs, and traditions. 

The curriculum will continue to evolve to ensure the best possible curriculum continues to be available for our diverse communities. We encourage educators, schools, and communities to review the lessons, share your feedback, and partner with us to implement the program in your classrooms in the upcoming academic year. Feel free to contact us for more information!