1. The Destination: Creative and Critical ThinkingCreative and Critical Thinking Collaboration Across Boundaries Cross-Cultural Understanding and Exchange Quest for Life-Long Learning Continuous Integration of Current and Emerging Technologies

2. 21 st Century Education in Reading Standards & Assessments Curriculum & Instruction Professional Development Learning Environments

3. Learning Environments Learning Environments Structures Structures -Buildings -Buildings -Classrooms -ClassroomsClassrooms -Flexible Schedules -Flexible Schedules Cultural Environment -Homeroom activities -Clubs/Partnerships -Service -External RelationshipsExternal Relationships Tools -Hardware -SoftwareSoftware -District-wide initiatives Support -Expanded tech supportExpanded tech support -Integrated training -Emerging tech committee “To learn how to learn, you have to love learning-or you have to at least enjoy it…” (Freedman, 2006, p. 310).

4. Professional Development Teachers embrace the need for continuous personal development Teachers embrace the need for continuous personal development Teachers utilize a library of online tutorials and courses that provide PDPs and graduate credits applicable to content areas Teachers utilize a library of online tutorials and courses that provide PDPs and graduate credits applicable to content areas Teachers attend conferences and access all available opportunities to learn about cutting edge technology Teachers attend conferences and access all available opportunities to learn about cutting edge technology Teachers share and learn about technology through school, district and global web 2.0 tools Teachers share and learn about technology through school, district and global web 2.0 tools Teachers are chosen and trained to be technology leaders Teachers are chosen and trained to be technology leaders

5. Professional Development Teachers need sufficient time to adapt to changing expectations Teachers need sufficient time to adapt to changing expectations Teachers are motivated by self-directed PD Teachers are motivated by self-directed PD To provide time, a permanent sub can be provided to give monthly or quarterly “sabbaticals” so that a teacher can attend trainings, conferences, and have work time to interpret and incorporate knowledge into units To provide time, a permanent sub can be provided to give monthly or quarterly “sabbaticals” so that a teacher can attend trainings, conferences, and have work time to interpret and incorporate knowledge into units Teacher goals can be tied into these mini-sabbaticals Teacher goals can be tied into these mini-sabbaticals

6. Curriculum & Instruction Students engage in HEAT – Students engage in HEAT –HEAT Higher-Order Thinking Higher-Order Thinking Engaged Learning (online courses and self-directed study) Engaged Learning (online courses and self-directed study)online courses online courses Authentic Learning (real world projects, writing for a global audience through blogs and websites) Authentic Learning (real world projects, writing for a global audience through blogs and websites)blogs websitesblogs websites Technology Use (including webliteracy skills) Technology Use (including webliteracy skills)webliteracy skillswebliteracy skills “Educators can harness the power of the Internet... to empower students to become more actively involved in... their own learning.” (November, 2008, p.3)

7. Curriculum & Instruction Students develop creativity through the study of art, music, and literature Students develop creativity through the study of art, music, and literature Students have been studying a foreign language since kindergarten Students have been studying a foreign language since kindergarten Students develop tolerance and appreciation of international cultures Students develop tolerance and appreciation of international cultures Students use an online discussion area in every class Students use an online discussion area in every classonline discussion area online discussion area

8. Standards & Assessments “Today, the defining skills of the previous era- the “left brain” capabilities that powered the Information Age- are necessary but no longer sufficient. And the capabilities we once disdained or thought frivolous- the “right brain” qualities of inventiveness, empathy, joyfulness, and meaning- increasingly will determine who flourishes and who flounders.” - ( Pink, 2006, p.3) Grades 6-8 Program Guide

9. Why Us? Connects current research and best practices in education Connects current research and best practices in education Brings together the necessary realms of emotional, content-rich and technological learning that middle school students need Brings together the necessary realms of emotional, content-rich and technological learning that middle school students need Encourages participation from school, community, business and global interests Encourages participation from school, community, business and global interests Can be realized Can be realized Our plan:

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