Related concepts: communication, empathy, Lines of inquiry Social interactions Acknowledging others’ perspectives Managing and resolving conflict Key concepts: connection, perspective Related concepts: context, location, orientation Lines of inquiry: How we represent place Representations of place through time The relationship of our location to other parts of the world Related concepts: perception, Lines of inquiry The diverse ways in which people express themselves How everyone can express uniqueness through the arts The role of art in culture and society Related concepts: structure, sustainability, transformation Lines of inquiry Considerations to take into account when building a structure How building impacts on the environment Indigenous architecture Lines of inquiry Purpose of a workplace Interconnectedness of people in a workplace Importance of a shared vision or common purpose Circumstances that lead to adaptation How plants and animals or respond to environmental conditions 8–9 Central idea Understanding different ways of learning enables people to respond to their own learning needs as well as those of others. Key concepts: function, perspective, responsibility Related concepts: diversity, motivation of inquiry Central idea Family histories provide an insight into cultural and personal identity. Key concepts: change, reflection Related concepts: chronology, history, tradition Lines of inquiry Family ancestry Artifacts, heirlooms or rituals that have meaning in a family Central idea A variety of and symbols facilitates local and global communication. Key concepts: form, connection Related concepts: culture, pattern Lines of inquiry Signs and symbols Reasons for the development of communication systems Central idea Human survival is connected to understanding the continual changing nature of the Earth. Key concepts: causation, change, connection Related concepts: erosion, geology, tectonic plates, movement Lines of inquiry How the different components of the Central idea Communities provide interconnected services designed to meet people’s Key concepts: function, causation, connection Related concept: networks Lines of inquiry Reasons people live in the local community Services needed to support a community Central idea Water is essential to life, and is a limited resource for many people. Key concepts: function, responsibility Related concepts: conservation, equity, processes Lines of inquiry Sources of water and how water is used What happens to water after we have used it
Learning communities How people construct knowledge Different learning styles How learning styles impact the way people engage in a learning community Similarities and differences between generations within a family Specialized systems of communication Earth are interrelated How the Earth has changed and is continuing to change Why the Earth changes response to the Earth’s changes Planning services for a community Distribution and availability of usable water Responsibilities regarding water 9–10 Central idea What we believe is a part of who we are. Key concepts: perspective, reflection Related concepts: diversity, perception of inquiry What we believe How beliefs influence the way we behave The impact of religion and spiritual traditions on society Central idea Human migration is a response to challenges, risks and opportunities. Key concepts: causation, change, perspective Related concepts: population, settlement Lines of inquiry The reasons why people migrate Migration throughout history Effects of migration on communities, cultures and individuals Central idea Choices of role models reflect the characteristics that societies and individuals value. Key concepts: causation, perspective, reflection Related concepts: self-fulfillment, influence Lines of inquiry Role models and why we value them Why we should develop our own Central idea Energy may be converted from one form to another and stored in various ways. Key concepts: form, function, connection Related concepts: conservation, transformation Lines of inquiry Forms of energy The storage and transformation of energy Conservation of energy Renewable and sustainable energy Central idea Marketplaces depend on the ability to produce goods and supply services that can be exchanged. Key concepts: function, connection Related concepts: interdependence, supply and demand Lines of inquiry Medium of exchange in various marketplaces Ethics of the marketplace How and in what ways we depend on people in places Central idea Children worldwide face a variety of challenges and risks. Key concepts: function, reflection Related concepts: equality, rights Lines of inquiry Challenges and risks that children face How children respond to challenges and risks Ways in which individuals, organizations and nations work to protect children from risk
gifts, talents and interests How personal strengths can be applied to help others How global movement and communication affect the availability of goods and services 10–11 Central idea Complex factors contribute to the process of making decisions that have implications for ourselves and others. Key concepts: causation, change, connection Related concepts: choice, systems Lines of inquiry Factors that influence our decisions Decision-making processes for groups and individuals Impact or consequences that decisions can have Central idea Past civilizations shape present day systems and technologies. Key concepts: causation, change, perspective Related concepts: continuity, progress, technology Lines of inquiry Aspects of past civilizations that have survived Reasons these systems and technologies developed Why modern societies continue to use adaptations of these systems and technologies Implications for the future Central idea Rituals, traditions and artifacts provide a window into the beliefs and values of cultures. Key concepts: function, perspective, reflection Related concepts: beliefs, diversity Lines of inquiry What constitutes a culture Significance of rituals and traditions How artifacts symbolize beliefs and values Central idea The fact that materials can undergo permanent or temporary changes poses challenges and provides benefits for society and the environment. Key concepts: form, function, responsibility Related concepts: measurement, transformation of inquiry Nature of chemical and physical changes Practical applications and implications of change in materials Ethical dilemmas associated with manufacturing processes and Central idea Governmental systems and decisions can promote or deny opportunities and social justice. Key concepts: function, responsibility Related concepts: equality, government or governance Lines of inquiry Types of governance Principles of rights and social justice The effect of institutional behaviours and attitudes on social justice Central idea Biodiversity relies on maintaining the interdependent balance of organisms within systems. Key concepts: connection, responsibility Related concepts: balance, biodiversity, interdependence Lines of inquiry Interdependence within ecosystems, biomes and environments Ways in which organisms are interconnected in nature How human interaction with the environment can affect the balance of systems
Recognition Strengths ○ Excellent observer ○ Extraordinary spatial ability ○ Excellent interpretation graphs/charts ○ sensitivity to nuance / tone ○ Perfect ○ Extensive musical background ○ Excellent at deriving key points from spoken/written language ○ Extensive vocabulary ○ Extensive knowledge ○ Knowledge of multiple languages ○ Advanced reading abilities ▪ word recognition ▪ word decoding ▪ text ▪ grammar ▪ author style ▪ skimming ○ Facility with hypertext (e.g., Web links, navigation through electronic documents) ○ Skill with rhymes, phonemic awareness, language play Recognition Weaknesses ○ Low vision ○ Blindness ○ Poor visual / spatial understanding ○ Color blindness ○ Hearing impairment ○ Deafness ○ Difficulty processing and deriving meaning from spoken language ○ Limited vocabulary ○ Limited content knowledge ○ Limited English proficiency ○ Difficulty with reading ▪ word recognition ▪ word decoding ▪ text structures/story ▪ grammar ▪ author style ▪ skimming ○ Difficulty/confusion with hypertext ○ Tendency to literal interpretation ○ Difficulty finding important information Strategic Strengths ○ Drawing/artistic talent ○ Talented athlete ○ Skilled with 3-dimensional design ○ Talented singer/musician ○ Excellent at computer graphics ○ Excellent dancer ○ Outstanding speaker/presenter ○ Outstanding written expression skills: ▪ poetry ▪ narrative ▪ expository writing ▪ journal ▪ dialogue/drama ▪ songs ○ Outstanding concentration/attention ○ Highly organized Strategic Weaknesses ○ Fine motor difficulties ○ Gross motor coordination problems ○ Hand-eye coordination problems ○ Poor handwriting ○ Poor spelling ○ Speech impairment ○ Difficulty with oral presentations ○ Written expression problems: selecting/narrowing topic planning organization proofreading addressing audience ○ Restless/fidgety ○ Poor self-monitoring ○ Trouble completing work
IMPROVEMENT PLAN CHART Goal: Statement that on improving the level of student achievement. Performance Target: Measurable statements that indicate the level at which the school would like to be performing on a given goal by a given time. (Meeting the performance target is the ultimate indicator of success.) Focus Strategies Indicators of Success Time lines Responsibilities Status Update Revisions specific focus will allow teachers to develop specific strategies to achieve their goals. Actions that will be taken to help the school work towards achieving its goals. Provides the school with standards against which the school can measure their progress towards their goals. Strategy should be looked at to determine the most suitable time to begin working on as well as the duration of the strategy. Director working together with staff will determine who is responsible for implementing each strategy. Director will monitor plans on an ongoing basis to discuss progress of strategies. The school’s decision to revise any section of plan should be on the same kinds of solid data as those used to the original goals, focuses, and time lines. REPORTING ON PROGRESS Taos International School will use proactive communication strategies in reporting student achievement results to parents, the school's Governing Body, the school's authorizer and the broader community. The educational program of the school functions is most effectively when parents and teachers work together to promote student learning. The purpose of the Progress Report and standards-based Report Card is to communicate with the parents and keep them informed. Progress reports will be sent to the parents of each student during the fifth week of the Quarter. The reports will be taken home by the student, signed by the parent, and returned to the teacher. Report Cards will be sent home three times per year. Parents will be informed through the media and school announcements about the progress reports and report cards and the date they will be sent home. The progress report will include: 1. Skills checklist and or percentage grade