A recent article stated that 60% of the jobs our children will be competing for have not been invented yet. What we do know is that no matter what they do, the skills embedded in the "Habits of Mind" will be important for their success. Innovative approaches like Project Based Learning can foster these skills in our students.
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To share ideas clearly and constructively, consider other ideas and perspectives, and seek mutual understanding.
Engaging in Conversations and Discussions
- I contribute to the discussion by asking and answering questions and connecting my comments to another person’s comments.
- I explain my ideas clearly and support them with evidence, and I can stay focused on the topic being discussed.
- I use digital devices to enhance my oral and written communication and extend learning.
Listening
- I use nonverbal strategies, such as ‘look’ and ‘lean’, to listen well.
- I honor listening norms (e.g. listen with care, take turns, seek to understand).
- I listen for key points and I can connect the information to my own schema.
Delivering Presentations
- My presentation is clear and I use enough details and visuals to support the main idea.
- I use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and pacing.
- I use computers or tablets to improve my oral and written communication.
- I deliver oral presentations accurately and field questions to demonstrate understanding.
Ownership
- I reflect on my strengths and weaknesses as an effective communicator and consider how I can improve.
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To work together constructively, reflect on different perspectives, build on the ideas of others, and take responsibility for my team and myself.
Leadership and Initiative
- I demonstrate clear understanding of the group’s work and show responsibility for carrying out the plans.
Cooperation and Flexibility
- I listen to and value other team members’ ideas and follow agreed upon norms of group discussions and decisions.
Responsibility and Productivity
- I do my job on time and with a positive attitude.
- I have pride in the high quality work that I create for the team.
Use of Technology Tools
- I use technology to collaborate with my team.
Responsiveness
- I offer feedback that is valued by others, and appreciate when group members offer me feedback to help make an idea better.
Ownership
- I reflect on my collaboration and how I contribute to the group.
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To share ideas courageously, pursue new paths of thinking, refine prototypes, and design innovative solutions.
Think Creatively
- I create multiple ideas that respond to the challenge.
- I identify the best idea, explain my decision, review feedback, and decide the next steps to improve the idea.
Work Creatively with Others
- I listen to and understand other’s ideas and give feedback.
- I share ideas and ask for feedback.
Demonstrate Courage to Explore
- I explore ideas and learn from challenges. I try again if I am not successful the first time.
- I show a clear picture or idea of the end product or performance.
Ownership
- I create a product that can solve a problem.
- I explain my thinking process and how I created my product.
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To be curious, motivated, self-reflective learners who ask thoughtful questions to deepen understanding, and ignite work worth doing.
Information and Discovery
- I clearly define the problem, investigation, or challenge in my own words.
- I create relevant questions to explore and gather information from trustworthy sources.
Interpretation and Analysis
- I clearly and accurately describe points of view from a variety of sources.
Reasoning
- I clearly describe inferences about the problem, challenge or inquiry.
Problem Solving/Solution Finding
- I clearly explain ideas to best solve a problem, challenge or inquiry.
Constructing Arguments
- I state my opinion about an inquiry and gather evidence to support my opinion.
Ownership
- I clearly explain the critical thinking skills assessed in the unit in my own words.
- I identify the strengths/weaknesses in my thinking during the unit/project.
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Citizenship/ Stewardship
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To take care of myself, other people, and the environment, so that we can make a positive impact as guardians of our school, local, and global community.
Global Systems and Perspectives
- I make connections about how my habits and decisions can have impact on local and global issues.
- I can identify the effects of human actions on global issues and events.
Civic Literacy and Engagement
- I can identify a civic need or problem (e.g. voter fraud).
- I can list rights and or responsibilities of a citizen.
- I participate in civic/ community engagement activities (e.g. environmental clean up, food drives).
Cultural Literacy
- I communicate with someone from another culture using shared or familiar verbal and nonverbal norms.
Digital Citizenship
- I can identify how to stay safe and secure online.
- I can identify and use technology that supports collaboration, learning and productivity.
- I can identify the rights and responsibilities of a digital citizen.
Environmental Stewardship
- I can identify ways to conserve and recycle to support environmental sustainability.
- I can identify pros and cons related to some local and global environmental issues.
Ownership
- I can identify strengths and weaknesses in my own civic participation and interactions with people from other cultures.
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To be engaged and focused on my learning. To persevere, self-reflect, and recognize that mistakes and revisions are a part of learning and lead to quality work.
- I can reflect on my strengths and weaknesses as an effective communicator and consider how I can improve.
- I can reflect on my collaboration and how I contribute to the group.
- I can create a product that can solve a problem.
- I can explain my thinking process and how I created my product.
- I can explain the critical thinking skills assessed in the unit in my own words.
- I can identify the strengths/weaknesses in my thinking during the unit/project.
- I can identify strengths and weaknesses in my own civic participation and interactions with people from other cultures.
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