Ongoing+Notes

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to send a quick e-mail to keep the momentum of our conversation going as we return in January. I am very excited for our work ahead and wanted to thank you all for taking the time to contribute to the discussions and collective understanding that will be so informative for other professionals.

Below are notes that Michelle took from our conversation. If others have notes to share, please pass them along. I will also post these notes on the 21st Century wikispace I sent you in the prior e-mail

A few tasks/to dos

1) Michelle and Sandy-Since you are familiar with the book we all are going to read. I would like you to organize the book into either 2-3 sections for us to read, with due dates (plan of everyone to have access to the book by the end of January). You can use the building Leadership Team meeting dates as a guide (listed below)

2) We also decided that we would like to establish a central focus for SCOPE/GSCELC. Two focuses we discussed 1)Gardening/Organic Approach/Nature Based Learning and 2) Creativity and Problem Solving. Please continue to consider additional focuses. Note-even though we might establish a focus for our programs does not mean that we loss all of the other great aspects of our program. The focus helps us to have a foundation and grounding, the thing that will set our program apart of others; everything that we currently do that makes our program so special will be connected and built from the central focus.

3) I would like us to consider this question in our future conversation: What relevance does a 21st Century philosophy/approach have for children with disabilities?

Below are the building leadership dates that we will use to continue our conversation

January 11 February 15 March 14 April 4 May 9

SCOPE Promises (see notes below)
 * Projects that Engage**
 * Motivation to Learn**
 * Multi-Language Emersion**
 * Social-Emotional Growth**
 * Curiosity**
 * Celebration of Success**
 * Global Awareness**
 * Trust that Children will Succeed**
 * Nutrition for Life**
 * Expanding Opportunities**
 * Cognitive Connections**
 * Integrated Technology**
 * High Academic Expectations/Experiences**
 * Environmental Efforts**


 * From: ** Smith, Michelle **Sent:** Tuesday, December 20, 2011 1:28 PM**To:** Jackson, Sarah**Subject:** 21st Century Conversation 12/14

Hi Sarah, Below are a few notes from our conversation on 21st Century from 12/14. Michelle

Sharing of “bright spots” from 21st Century Summit on 12/8/11 The Academy for Global Citizenship – Theme & purpose of school was communicated clearly and was evident through pictures. What does the classroom environment look like? The focus in a classroom should be on what the children are doing and not on what the teacher is doing School should be viewed not as a place but as an activity

Conversation around current purpose/philosophy of GSCELC How are we implementing a project based approach? Use of outdoor space, is it incorporated into what is going on in the classroom? How do we make all initiatives flow together (in all areas of the school and in all grade levels?) Need more focus on purpose/program philosophy/central theme, too many initiatives present? Re-visit original SCOPE promises to move to one purpose How to implement standards w/o being standardized

21st Century skills…what comes to mind? Moving from only thinking about __technology__ to thinking about __what/how children are learning__. Technology is more of a vehicle to obtain information and engage in learning opportunities and not the only definition of 21st century skills.

Where do we want to go? As a group, how do we take what we know about 21st century skills, apply to the field and make it work? Identify 1-2 purposes for the school, prioritize definition - Team leadership meeting on 1/11/12

Teresa wrote: 2/13/12 In looking at the definition of 21st Century Schools: A place that nurtures students to follow their curiosities, shape and communicate their ideas, become enlightened global citizens that learn the essential skills for success in today's world, such as criticl thinking, problem solving, communication and collaboration through engaging and intentional academic and social activities.