Key+Action+2


 * Key Action 2 - Provide More Responsive Teaching and Learning Experiences**

"The middle school concept, then, is like a Persian rug. Different threads are woven together into complicated patterns and colors until finally it is not discernable where a particular thread goes or where a particular colour begins. It is the overall rug we look at and admire. It is the overall integrated effort that is the rug as the behind the scenes process of weaving all the threads together . . . we must begin [Middle Years transformation] by acknowledging the complexity of the original concept as a totally integrated organizational/curricular/relational/development concept." ~ Thomas S. Dickenson

“We can tell our teacher where we’re at and how we’re learning and how it’s making sense to us. And then our teacher can tell me how she thinks I’m doing.” ~ Student voice "Middle Years educators understand that young adolescents generally spend more time in contact with the adults in their school than with the adults in their families. It is important to understand that Middle Years schools provide safe, caring, and challenging learning environments and responsive teaching and learning experiences in order to meet the emotional, social, behavioural, physical, and cognitive needs of young adolescents. (Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD, NIH, and DHHS). A responsive learning environemnt addresses students' academic development as well as the developmental, health, and societal challenges that adolecents face in their daily lives. How well educators respond to these challenges greatly determines adolescents' academic success, school completion, and successful transition into adulthood.(Kneidek; National School Association)" - MYI

"What is meant by responsive assessment and instruction? Responsive teaching and learning experiences are those experiences that are purposeful, differentiated, collaborative and student-centered land designed with students' ldevelopmental and learning needs in mind. Reponsive educators focus instruction and resources so that all students can develop and learn." - MYI " Students are at the centre of responsive assessment and instruction and are involved at every step of the learning process. Students help establish learning goals and construct criteria for success, they engage in a variety of learning tasks, and they monitor, adjust, and communicate their progress and achievement. This gradual increase of student responsibility makes students and teachers partners in education." - MYI