Our program is centered around the basic scholarly principles of rigor, depth of knowledge, skill based learning, collaboration, and character.
Rigor...
Rigor is defined as a condition that makes life difficult, challenging, or uncomfortable. Lessons in all subject areas are designed to challenge students in the way they analyze, approach, synthesize, and apply their depth of knowledge especially in the areas of written and oral communication. Rigor cannot be associated with quantity of content but rather the quality and depth at which that said content is being utilized.
Depth of Knowledge...
Depth of Knowledge is the complexity or depth of understanding required to answer or explain subject area content. Students will be asked to logically back up generated claims with supportive textual evidence that exemplifies deep levels of content area comprehension. In math a depth of knowledge continuum ranges from knowing the steps of a given concept to being able to explain the steps logically to finally being able to competently teach a fellow peer the mathematical concept.
Skill Based Learning...
Traditionally students have been taught specific content while then being assessed on the content alone. Skill based learning focus on exactly that . . . skills. Students will be taught and assessed on specific skills that can then be applied to any and all types of content. Assessments are given with content areas, but students will be scored on their use of skills to analyze and synthesize the content. In other words students will not be assessed on their knowledge of Ancient China but instead will be assessed on their ability to use specific skill sets to extrapolate, analyze, and synthesize the information and its main points.
Collaboration...
Students will participate in a variety of collaborative models where they will learn how to come together with fellow peers to achieve a common goal. Success in collaborative models relies heavily on communication in order to express and transfer thoughts and ideas in a professional manner.
Character...
Grades, knowledge of content, and intelligence do not make individuals successful in the real word. What makes individuals successful are performance character traits. Character traits are not specifically taught in class but rather are infused into the daily lexicon and culture of the classroom.
Grit . . .
Grit is the ability to overcome set backs and conquer an important challenge or long term goal. It is simple the ability to keep working at a goal and to never give up not matter how long it takes or how hard the challenges become.
Grit is the ability to overcome set backs and conquer an important challenge or long term goal. It is simple the ability to keep working at a goal and to never give up not matter how long it takes or how hard the challenges become.
Resilience . . .
What happens when one fails? Resilience is simply the ability to recover quickly from defeat or failure. Do students become frustrated and quit? Or do they try to analyze, understand, and apply what made them fail into making them stronger and successful the next time around.
What happens when one fails? Resilience is simply the ability to recover quickly from defeat or failure. Do students become frustrated and quit? Or do they try to analyze, understand, and apply what made them fail into making them stronger and successful the next time around.
Mindfulness . . .
Being fully aware of ones thoughts, answers, actions, and emotions is what mindfulness entails in the a classroom setting. This present focused train of thought can be integrated into math concepts, oral communication, writing language, and overall scholarly behavior in and out of the classroom.
Being fully aware of ones thoughts, answers, actions, and emotions is what mindfulness entails in the a classroom setting. This present focused train of thought can be integrated into math concepts, oral communication, writing language, and overall scholarly behavior in and out of the classroom.
Integrity . . .
Integrity is doing the right thing knowing the nobody is going to know whether you did it or not. This type of integrity is expected of students in the classroom, out at the playground, and at home.
Integrity is doing the right thing knowing the nobody is going to know whether you did it or not. This type of integrity is expected of students in the classroom, out at the playground, and at home.
Self Control . . .
Self Control is the ability to acknowledge, understand, and control both internal and external distractions in order to achieve goals and tasks.
Self Control is the ability to acknowledge, understand, and control both internal and external distractions in order to achieve goals and tasks.
Optimism . . .
This is the ability to think positively no matter that outcome or challenges faced.
"An optimist is a person who makes opportunities out of difficulties while a pessimist is a person who makes difficulties out of opportunities."
- Harry S. Truman
This is the ability to think positively no matter that outcome or challenges faced.
"An optimist is a person who makes opportunities out of difficulties while a pessimist is a person who makes difficulties out of opportunities."
- Harry S. Truman
Social Intelligence . . .
Social intelligence is the ability to understand, manage, and work together with people of various backgrounds, temperaments, and learning styles in order to achieve a common goal.
Social intelligence is the ability to understand, manage, and work together with people of various backgrounds, temperaments, and learning styles in order to achieve a common goal.