This approach mixes classroom based learning (with a teacher), student-centered learning in small seminars (facilitated by the teacher), smaller groups (facilitated by students), some interesting local field trips, and some independent work (supported by all).
Students will learn strategies for resourceful self-reliance and collaborative interdependence, skills that are crucial for success at post-secondary schools and the 21st century workplace. Students will also bend the digital and communication tools they already use towards positive applications for learning. We will develop life-long habits for pursuing passion and honouring the "whole self." We will set high standards that balance creativity with practical understanding of the big ideas from English and Geography.
The focus will be on the "spark" or learning passion that each student brings, creative use of technology, critical thinking, integration of the arts, deep inquiry, project-based learning, and use of digital portfolios. We will use examples in the course from diverse sources including local writing and local landscapes. We will use the work generated by students themselves to enrich content and opportunities for dialogue. A series of short field trips also supports the work we are doing. During the first year of the program, we took a "sustainability" themed tour of UNBC, visited the PG Wastewater facility, hiked the Ancient Forest Trail, and studied the Lheitl T'enneh culture at the Exploration Place.
About two-thirds of the time the learning will be guided by the teacher (traditional lessons in class) and about a third of the time students will be able to craft their own interests, skills, artistic and intellectual abilities into their classwork, projects, and assessment. This part takes place during "flex" blocks -- independent work, groups of 3-5 led by students, seminars of 8-10 with the teacher. Many of the learning resources and reading/viewing will be "flipped" or posted online for students to work through during the flex time, allowing for more interactivity when we are together. Students have some time built in to work when and where they want, but also daily activities at school and in class. That's blended learning. It's also an experiment with new curriculum goals and other aspects of the BC Education Plan.
Students completing this program receive full credits for both English 11 and Geography 12 -- the learning outcomes from both courses will be addressed. This "Language and Landscape" program takes place in two blocks in one semester (e.g. A & B) and allows flexible attendance during one of the two blocks. Pre-requisites: English 10 and Social Studies 10.
For more information, email gthielmann@sd57.bc.ca, come talk to me in room 180 or read more of the posts on this blog. I think students have a lot more to offer than we often give them the space to attempt. This program is designed to see what that looks like.
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