Culturally Relevant Inspiration

Benjamin Franklin Elementary School Nearly six hundred students attend Franklin Elementary. In the summer of 2011, District 41 created a committee of educators and administrators devoted to exploring the future of education in the district, particularly in light of increasingly rigorous standards.

The “Think Tank” Project-based learning, including the MindQuestSM model for ELA and reading, has become a major avenue for Franklin students’ development of collaboration, communication and critical thinking skills. Students are “evolving in their group work, and they’re taking control of the role they play when they work with other students,” “They’re collaborating with people outside of their classrooms. And they’re reflecting on what they’re doing more often and how productive they were.”

School Profile 570 students Project-based learning Professional learning communities Dedicated time for cross-disciplinary projects and collaboration District “Think Tank”

Content Knowledge and 21st Century Themes Mastery of fundamental subjects and 21st century themes is essential for students in the 21st century. Disciplines include: English, reading or language arts World languages Arts Mathematics Economics Science Geography History Government and Civics

21st century interdisciplinary themes Global awareness Financial, economic, business and entrepreneurial literacy Financial, economic, business and entrepreneurial literacy Civic literacy Health literacy Environmental literacy

Learning and Innovation Skills Learning and innovation skills increasingly are being recognized as the skills that separate students who are prepared for increasingly complex life and work environments in the 21st century, and those who are not. Creativity and Innovation Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Communication and Collaboration

Skills Gained Information, Media and Technology Skills Information Literacy Media Literacy ICT Literacy Life and Career Skills Flexibility & Adaptability Initiative & Self Direction Social & Cross-Cultural Skills Productivity & Accountability Leadership & Responsibility

Summary Benjamin Franklin Elementary School; focuses on the students and their performance as well as its teachers. The collaboration between teachers and students; students and community; along with the school and the community ensures the success of the students. Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). List of examplar schools. Retrieved from studies/list-of-exemplar-schoolsList of examplar schools studies/list-of-exemplar-schools

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Dana Elementary School – District: Henderson County SchoolsHenderson County Schools – Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 – Enrollment: 525 (2015) – School type: Public – identify primarily as White, non-Hispanic; Hispanic; and Multiracial contacted at 2.nc.us.

Core Values: We will provide focused instruction based on North Carolina Standards. We will create a safe, positive and nurturing climate. We will communicate to connect students, parents, staff and community. We will provide purposeful learning by engaging in learning experiences that meet the needs of all students We will promote growth in all areas: academic, emotional, physical and social.

School Improvement Plan for Goal 1: All students will meet their Annual Measurable Objectives (AMOs); the school will receive the highest school designation as determined by the new NC ABC model. Goal 2: Dana School will provide a safe, positive, and nurturing learning environment by building positive relationships and partnerships with the community as evidenced by a 10% increase in satisfaction scores on student and parent as well as the parent communication/involvemen t portion of the Teacher Working Condition Survey.

School Improvement Plan for , Continued Goal 3 Preparing students to be Globally Competitive in the 21st Century as evidenced by a 10 % increase in technology embedded into instruction, project based learning activities, financial literacy and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) activities from 2012 baseline year.

Awards and Recognition Dana is a recipient of the 2013 National School Change Award by the National Principals Leadership Institute. The award is given to nominated school’s based on specific criteria designed to show “significant improvement.”

2012 Intel School of Distinction Finalist in the category of Math

Summary Dana Elementary School has shown they care about the success of their students. Implementing a school improvement plan shows a commitment to their students, their families, and the community at large. The students at Dana Elementary School are learning hands on, critical thinking skills and learning to problem solve. Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.) Framework for 21st century learning. Retrieved from for 21st century learninghttp:// Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). List of examplar schools. Retrieved from of-exemplar-schools List of examplar schoolshttp:// of-exemplar-schools

Spirit Lake High School – District: Spirit Lake Community School DistrictSpirit Lake Community School District – Enrollment: 436 (2015) – Grades taught: 9-12 – School type: Public

Spirit Lake students experience new way of learning One group of students traveled to Costa Rica to sharpen their Spanish and critical thinking skills. Closer to home, the classroom biology lecture was replaced by microscopes and a mock CSI-inspired crime scene. A Family and Consumer Sciences unit borrows from "Project Runway," and gives students a start-to-finish view of the fashion world. All of the efforts are made possible through the school district's one laptop for each student initiative and January L.I.V.E. (Locally Integrated, Visually Enhanced), a three-week, project-based learning program.

Learning Experiences The students were able to select from a wide range of projects. Real-world challenges were presented in each course through a wide variety of disciplines and "hands on" activities. Welding students had a chance to leave a lasting mark on their community by constructing a 40- foot high stainless steel sculpture at Camp Foster. Instead of physics, some students learned about the "Science of Superheroes" and a unit on angles and measurements were applied south of the high school.

Learning Experiences continued Spirit Lake High School's January L.I.V.E. Term provides students with project-based learning experiences.

Summary Spirit Lake High School allows their students to be creative and learn experience. The students are allowed to explore their ideas and interests while collaborating in a group.; learning from one another. The school, teachers, and students are connected to the local community and the global world. The students are allowed to express themselves without being judged. Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.) Framework for 21st century learning. Retrieved from for 21st century learninghttp:// Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). List of examplar schools. Retrieved from of-exemplar-schoolsList of examplar schoolshttp:// of-exemplar-schools

References Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.) Framework for 21st century learning. Retrieved from work/p21-framework Framework for 21st century learninghttp:// work/p21-framework Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). List of examplar schools. Retrieved from studies/list-of-exemplar-schoolsList of examplar schools studies/list-of-exemplar-schools