Introducing the Core Competencies BC’s New Curriculum

Preamble As educators, we are faced with BC’s New Curriculum; Core Competencies are a significant piece of this new approach to pedagogy. To work on the Core Competencies with our students, we need to teach the core competencies to them, familiarize them with the New Curriculum’s terminology and rationale. Students are required to self- assess their Core Competencies annually; to do this, in a meaningful way, it is up to us as teachers to build in our students the fluency and understanding of the Core Competencies so that these become important aspects of their growth as learners.

The Six (6) Core Competencies COMMUNICATION* CREATIVE THINKING* CRITICAL THINKING POSITIVE PERSONAL AND CULTURAL IDENTITY PERSONAL AWARENESS AND RESPONSIBILITY SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY*

The Three (3) Core Competencies of the Survey Every year, you will be required to complete a survey and express where you feel you are in your development of these Core Competencies. COMMUNICATION* CREATIVE THINKING* SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY*

The Survey Students will be asked to give examples of their competencies, rate their competency level, identify areas for growth, set a goal for improvement, and reflect on goal attainment. The survey consists of a series of “I” statements in the following three areas: COMMUNICATION* CREATIVE THINKING* SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY*

COMMUNICATION* Connect and engage with others (to share and develop ideas) Sample “I” Statements:   • I ask and respond to simple, direct questions. • I am an active listener; I support and encourage the person speaking. • I recognize that there are different points-of-view and I can disagree respectfully.

Connect and Engage with Others: I ask and respond to simple, direct questions. But what does this look like? Model a simple and direct question; e.g. To student: When is your birthday? Option: Ask a few students; have them ask you. Students should be able to do this. Can you ask a classmate what the homework is?

Acquire, interpret, and present information (includes inquiries) I present information clearly and in an organized way. Example(s): When asked to talk about information, perhaps in an oral presentation, do you speak CLEARLY and explain your ideas CLEARLY and in an organized way with a clear beginning, middle, and end? If you need help from a teacher, can you clearly explain what it is that you are struggling to understand, so that the teacher can help you?

Collaborate to plan, carry out, and review constructions and activities. I can understand and share information about a topic that is important to me. Examples: Perhaps the environment is important to you. Could you understand a tv show about climate change and explain to someone else what the key points are? Are you able to use the internet to access information that helps you do your homework and share what you find with your teacher and classmates?

Explain/recount and reflect on experiences and accomplishments. I can GIVE, RECEIVE, and ACT UPON feedback. For example: Think about peer editing (giving feedback) Teacher notes on returned assignments (receiving feedback) Taking notes on how to improve and/or incorporating suggestions to improve work. I can recount simple experiences and activities and tell something I learned. I can represent my learning and tell how it connects to my experiences and efforts. This representation could be WRITTEN, VISUAL, ORAL, MULTI-MEDIA, MULTIMODALITY.

CREATIVE THINKING Novelty and Value: Example: I can get new ideas or build on other people’s ideas, to create things within the constraints of a form, a problem, or materials. 2. Generating Ideas: Example: I build on others’ ideas and add new ideas of my own, or combine other people’s ideas in new ways to create new things or solve straightforward problems. Developing Ideas: Example(s): a). I make ideas work or I change what I am doing. b). I use my experiences with various steps and attempts to direct my future work. .

Social Responsibility 1. Contributing to community and caring for the environment. Example: I contribute to group activities that make my classroom, school, community, or natural world a better place. Solving problems in peaceful ways. Example: I can solve some problems myself and can identify when to ask for help.

Social Responsibility (continued) Valuing Diversity Example: I take action to support diversity and defend human rights, and can identify how diversity is beneficial for my community, including online. Building Relationships Example: I am aware of how others may feel and take steps to help them feel included.