Culturally Relevant Inspiration
The Discovery Method
Discovery Day Accademy
Discovery Day Academy in Bonita Springs, Florida is a school that has integrated 21st century skills along with culturally relevant practices, creativity and innovation. In 2006, Discovery Day started out as a lab school focused on early childhood education. They now have three campuses starting from preschool through first grade.
Demographics
21st Century Skills
Creativity
Culturally Relevant
MaST Community Charter School
“MaST Community Charter School is an i3 Federal Grant Recipient, a Title 1 Distinguished School, and an Apple Distinguished Program” (Partnership for 21st Century Skills. “n.d.” List of examplar schools 1676. para.1)
Demographics
The demographic information of the students in the school range from ages 5-18. The population of the students pertaining to race is very diverse. Within the population of students, 180 are special education students. The school is a Title 1 school with reduce lunch or free lunch for students.
Community Involement
MaST Community is unique because the focus is mainly on learning and not disciplining students. They have parent support that aid in fundraising and putting together community events in which builds meaningful relationships with the community and the school. Students feel supported by their community and the parents. In addition, the school has a partnership with Community College of Philadelphia and Manor College, Children’s hospital, and LEGO to enhance their robotics program.
21st Century Learning
The school is engulfed in 21st century learning. It is an Apple Distinguished program. “Like everything else at MaST, the integration for technology was done purposefully to create new ways for students to learn. We work as a team to create optimal learning environments where technology enhances instruction and prepares all learners for career or college” Partnership for 21st Century Skills. “n.d.” List of examplar schools 1676. para.6, para .9).
Culturally Relevant
The learning experience reflect culturally relevant pedagogy in a variety of ways. Teachers work with students to modify the learning to help students achieve success. Teachers build on prior knowledge of the students and incorporate technology to aid in building needed skills. Students participate is designing the learning spaces in the school and the high school students take on the role of mentoring the elementary students and help them learn how to use technology.
Creativity
Creativity is essential in learning. “Teachers are engaged with students and teachers become facilitators, allowing students to drive their own educational experience” Partnership for 21st Century Skills. “n.d.” List of examplar schools 1676. para.7).The students are involved in hands on learning, collaboration, critical thinking, and lesson design. Teachers create an opening for the students to become innovative learners by learning to think differently.
Katherine Smith Elementary School
Demographics
21st Century Skills
KRS is unique because the school moved away from the traditional base learning and became a project base learning school. The school transformed itself to provide meaningful learning for the students. This positive change generated decline in suspensions and parents are more supportive of the culture of the school. Sense transitioning into a project base teaching school, 21st century skills are the core standards of learning. The teaching staff adopted the 4C’s of Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Creativity to enhance the learning and make the learning more meaningful to the students. Students utilize technology in a variety of ways. Technology is used for collaboration, presentations and documentation for progress. Students and staff work together on projects that integrate technology to help set personal goals for the students.
Culturally Relevant
The learning experiences are culturally relevant. “Superintendent Kathy Gomez wanted to revitalize a learning culture so that students wanted to be a school” (Partnership for 21st Century Skills. “n.d.” List of examplar schools 1632. para.2). The teachers model the behavior they want the students to be comfortable with. Teachers work together collaborating, building trust, encouraging student engagement, share projects and gather feedback in front of the students. This strategy is adopted by staff to encourage transparency to build meaningful relationships with students. Building relationships with students will promote value and acceptance of diversity. It will connect the school’s culture and community together to provide a deeper learning that reflects the home life of the students. A learning that is tangible and meaningful by applying their work to real life experiences or situations.
Creativity
Creativity is created in and outside of the classroom. Students and teachers collaborate ideas, create hands on experiences, give feedback and work together. Students are encourage to ask questions, be flexible, solve problems and critique ideas.
Creativity Culture and Global Context in Education Deision Making
Culturally Relevant: Developmental Appropriateness, Equity and Excellence, Teaching the Whole Child, (Wardle, 2013, Chapter 12, "sec. 12.1" para.1)
21st Century Learning: Collaboration and Leadership Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Creativity and Innovation, Communication (TNewman 2013 Chapter 1, "sec.1.6" para.5)
Creativity: "We defined creativity as a process with outcomes that are both original between cultures, they also change within cultures between times" ( Robinson, 1999, p.51. para.2)
References
Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). List of examplar schools. Retrieved from http://www.p21.org/exemplar-program-case-studies/list-of-exemplar-schools
Robinson, K., et al. (1999). All our futures: Creativity, Culture and Education. Retrieved from http://sirkenrobinson.com/pdf/allourfutures.pd
Newman, R., Fieldstein, L. & Phelps, P. (2013). Teaching and learning in the 21st century: Connecting the dots. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
Wardle, F. (2013). Human relationships and learning in the multicultural environment. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.