Target 1 – Student-Centered Learning. FWSU students will engage in personalize learning involving collaborative inquiry, problem solving and creative learning opportunities.
Action Step – Highlight, create and model innovative learning opportunities that promote collaborative inquiry, problem solving and creativity for students and staff
Indicator of Success – Students and staff will apply existing knowledge to create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
Students at GEMS have been using a program developed by Deb Chisholm, called Me Power.
Me Power teaches students 3 principles:
- Everyone has “Me Power”
- Each of us makes a choice to use it or not
- Me Power is positive
GEMS Guidance Counselors have been working for the past several weeks in Nancy Matas’ First Grade on forming a positive self-concept to build a culture of acceptance and caring within a group. Students are learning that how you treat others directly affects how you feel inside. The class read the book “One” followed by the book “Zero” – both written by Kathryn Otoshi. “Zero” helps children realize their own value and self worth, and “One” helps children see how they can stand up to bullying and actually help the bully feel accepted.
The students created a poster to show their learning. Each child was given a large “0” and inside they wrote adjectives that represent their own positive character traits. Their poster now hangs in the hall at GEMS to emphasize the importance of Me Power to others.
Counselors in our schools use discussion, projects, and literature to teach the concepts of acceptance, tolerance, finding value in oneself and others, and standing up to make a difference. Engaging students in thinking about their own personal power begins at a young age.
