A Different Focus on Learning

A child entering school today will graduate from high school into a very different world. Simply knowing facts will have little value. Preparing students for the 21st century while working within an educational model developed for the 19th century is a challenge. Educators, parents and businesses are realizing that the education system needs to evolve and change if it is going to prepare students to be effective contributors in our society. The following 11 minute Ted Talk gives an excellent summary of this.

Schools and school divisions everywhere around the world are looking to change how school is done. A growing emphasis is about helping students learn how to learn. The world is changing faster than ever and it will not slow down. Helping our students to adapt to that changing world has to be a focus for schools.

Our vision for learning at Landmark Collegiate has stemmed from two years of research, collaboration, and professional development. LC is looking to make changes that reflect a growing emphasis on how learners learn, rather than only on what they learn. As a staff we have explored and discussed how we learn, why we learn, what motivates us to learn, and what should we learn.  We have tried to identify the “skills, knowledge, attitudes and dispositions” that we want from our students long after they have graduated from high school and how we can play a significant role in developing those attributes.

This year teachers at LC will, at times, be engaging their students in Project – Based Learning. In a PBL classroom, the learner is involved in the inquiry process from the very beginning. Learners are immersed in an inquiry experience that gets them thinking about and questioning the topic. The learners work with their teacher to come up with strong, driving questions that will guide their learning. Not only are they learning content and concepts relevant to them, but they are also gaining skills in what many are calling the 6 C’s for the 21st century.

  1. Character education— honesty, self-regulation and responsibility, perseverance, empathy for contributing to the safety and benefit of others, self-confidence, personal health and well-being, career and life skills.
  2. Citizenship — global knowledge, sensitivity to and respect for other cultures, active involvement in addressing issues of human and environmental sustainability.
  3. Communication — communicate effectively orally, in writing and with a variety of digital tools; listening skills.
  4. Critical thinking and problem solving — think critically to design and manage projects, solve problems, make effective decisions using a variety of digital tools and resources.
  5. Collaboration — work in teams, learn from and contribute to the learning of others, social networking skills, empathy in working with diverse others.
  6. Creativity and imagination — economic and social entrepreneurialism, considering and pursuing novel ideas, and leadership for action

If students could graduate with a strong foundation in these skills, they will be better prepared for the 21st century.

Throughout the year we intend to provide further information to parents of our attempt to make school more relevant, meaningful and enjoyable for all learners. Parents are always welcome to come in and have a conversation with us.

in: Principal's Blog

Grade 7 Showcase of Learning

The grade seven classes get to discover their creative side by building structures made out of Keva planks.  Each Keva plank is the same size and students create structures by stacking them. There’s no need for glue or connectors as it’s a balancing act of force.  Dylan M. figured out how to put together a library scene while Larissa H., Katelyn B. and Mercede L. mastered the spiral.  Matt K. creates complicated structures and towers changing up his designs daily.  Rory S. attempted the tallest tower to date, by trying to reach the ceiling.  Rachel P. enjoys making gravity coasters that allows a ping pong ball to roll along.  The planks are being used on a daily basis, at lunch, at break and during free time.  They are a big hit!!!

 

in: General Showcase of Learning

Learning Trip to the Youth Bio Lab

The grade 8 class got the opportunity to go to the Youth Bio Lab in the Research Center at St. Boniface Hospital on October 27th. On this learning trip they got a tour of the cardiology labs and learned about the current research taking place in cardiology. Students also learned about blood pressure and got to take each other’s blood pressure. A few students got to experience an EKG while their peers watched their heart being monitored. The day finished off with a dissection of a pig’s heart. Students explored the path that blood takes through the heart and got to cut open the heart to examine the atria, ventricles, veins and arteries. It was a great learning experience that really added to their understanding of the circulatory system.

in: Showcase of Learning

Music Parent Association

The Music Parent Association is running two fundraisers. The Poinsettia fundraiser and the Perogy fundraiser will be starting Tuesday, November 3. Please look for these forms to come home. Due date for both fundraisers is Tuesday, November 17. No late orders will be excepted. All proceeds will be given to students’ individual band trip accounts. More information can be found under the Music tab of the LC website. We thank you for your support of our program!

in: General