contextual learning newsletter- april 2013

7/27/2019 Contextual Learning Newsletter- April 2013

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A Curricular Change at CIS for Middle School As of August, 2013 grades 6, 7 and 8 include a unit of Contextual Learning

Beginning next year CIS isincluding, in addition to thecurrent curriculum, a CL unitthat is multi-disciplinary and

cross-curricular. CL is a model

tailored to the developmental

needs of young adolescents.Each academic year the focus ison a different fundamental, insync with the evolution of the

children. Rather than focus onsubjects, the focus is on theindividual: self-awareness,understanding and compassion.These are core principles thatinfluence our interpretation of allother experience.

Students of Middle School ageare growing, changing, andbecoming adults. This is acritical time for them to bechallenged and inspired.

Today, young people areexposed to an inundation ofinformation due to Internet,

computers and TV’s. The scaleshave tipped and voyeuristic‘screen time’ outweighs a child’shands-on learning. CL helps torebalance this inequality.

The program is customized to

allow young adolescents to

see the world for themselves.It has been developed to

include preparation, experienceand reflection time. This is notabout being plunged into thedeep end. The students will beprovided the support needed tointerpret and evaluate the worldthey encounter. On-Site portionsare carefully planned accordingto learning objectives. Learningsteps out of the classroom andembraces ‘real’ experience.

During the CL unit, students willrequire academic rigor to learnand study about the places andpeople they will visit. Next, theywill apply what they learn, as

they ea t , exp lo re , v i s i t ,experience, discuss, help, andtake risks together. They thenhave the chance to process theexperience under the guidanceof mentors, considering thecomplexity of some of theissues encountered and turningtheir thoughts and ideas intofinished projects.

This experience will be lifechanging. The students willhave a real reason to learn, as itis used in context. CIS studentswill share other ways of livinga n d t h i n k i n g , t o b e t t e runderstand differing points ofviews. Contextual Learning willhelp CIS students grow intoe n r i c h e d a n d th o u g h t f u lcitizens.

CONTEXTUALLEARNING AT

Contextual

Learning is

about

Willingness

To Learn

through

Experience

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How CIS Students Benefit:

• Study becomes immediately

relevant as it is used during

the On Site experience• CL expands the students

learning environment at a timewhen they are seeking a

larger picture• Middle school students are at

the age when most cultures

have a ‘rite of passage’; this

provides one• In this era where exposure to

Internet, computers, television

and press are omnipresent it

is easy for virtual experience

to eclipse direct experience.

This program begins to

rebalance that situation• Travel teaches adaptability,

flexibility and a wide view of

the world: all characteristics

necessary for a successful

future• Travel involves the whole

student and relies equally on

many types of intelligence• The students are exposed to

cultures and situations unlike

their own and have enoughtime to prepare for the

experience and discuss them• On Site experience provides

a valid reason for high-tech

teaching / learning aids (such

as I-Pads)• CL proposes a format that

r e s p e c t s t h e e a r l y

adolescent’s need to acquire

more autonomy• The emphasis on learning

taking place outside the

classroom shows the worldas a learning opportunity and

helps generate l ifelong

learners

How CL fits in at CIS

CL Begins with the Academic Year...and becomes full-timeduring the last four weeks

Preparation:

Experience has shown that preparation

and processing times maximize the

benefits of the program. Knowledge and

research need to happen before the On

Site portion. Book reports, animal

studies, history, geography, politics,

economic and social issues etc. all

need to be discussed and prepared

before departure.

Planning for Contextual Learning will

be incorporated into Strategies for

Success classes and will be ongoing

throughout the year.

Subject classes will also incorporate

relevant preparation material during

the year.

On Site Experience: The Whole

Unit Occurs within India

For 2013/14, Experiential Learning willoccur over 3 weeks and be divided into

two groups. One group will be

Bangalore based, ‘On Campus’ at CIS,

while the other group will be ‘On Site’

in various venues around India.

The On Site experience is so

stimulating that the students spend

time discussing and recording their

emotions and reactions rather thanproducing more research.

During the On Site portion individual

projects must be shared with the

group, providing the children with the

chance to be leaders and guides. There

is also the discovery that what they

research and what they discover is not

necessarily the same thing. This is

c r i t i c a l i n fo r m a t i o n f o r t h e i r

understanding of reality.

Contextual Learning will be a portionof the each student's course work

grade.

3 weeks will be active learning

f o c u s i n g o n s e l f - a w a r e n e s s ,

understanding, and compassion. This

is planned for mid-May.

Reflection:

The processing time is a chance to

resolve issues that couldn’t be

completed during the On Site portion. It

is a chance to giveback to the

communities they now feel part of, to

share what they experienced with the

school and their parents, and to edit

and publish their thoughts, ideas and

conclusions.

Reflection time occurs on CIS campus

for all students with discussion,

recording, and finally presentationsto peers, teachers, and parents.

This will occur the final week of

school.

MS excursions will nolonger occur at CIS. TheCL program expands,deepens and transformsthese excursions into

e n r i c h i n g c u r r i c u l a rcontent.

Summative assessment,

M A P T e s t i n g , a n d

Cambridge Secondary 1

testing will occur before

the experiential section

begins.

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Qualification toExternal Program

Travel mixed with education is

more rigorous and more tiring

than regular school. It is very

important that the children be fit,both mentally and physically.

They must be prepared to handle

additional stress and challenge.

Not all children will be eligible for

the On Site portion of the CL unit.

Children who have academic or

behavioral difficulties will not be

admitted to the On Site portion of

the CL unit.

Also, children who have health

issues or who do not feel ready

for such an experience will be

reco mmen ded for the On

Campus program.

Teachers and administration, in

discussion with parents and the

s tuden ts themse lves , w i l l

d e t e r m i n e t h e s t u d e n t ’ s

qualification to the program.

Decisions will be reached before

November, 2013 for the tripoccurring in May, 2014.

On Site TimeCommitment

It is clear that the length of the On

Site section can be a challenge for

some parents and children, but it is

core to the program.

Even three one-week trips are not

the same as a single three-week

trip.

During three weeks the students

can’t hold out for home… eat

biscuits from their bag rather than

eat the local food. Not wash rather

than use a bucket shower. Avoid a

classmate instead of working

through their differences.

Also, the broader objectives of CL

(self-awareness, understanding,

and compassion) require time. The

student becomes part of a new

group (outside of the family) with

d i f f e r e n t e x p e c t a t i o n s a n d

dynamics. It is a real chance for

them to reach beyond their

traditional role and grow. What we

won’t change in a day, we may

grow accustomed to with time.

The On Site experience will take

place from 19 May for three weeks.

Students will commit to the entire

time or remain at CIS for the On

C a m p u s p r o g r a m . G r o u p

dynamics and the cohesion of the

entire group will not permit any

part-time attendance. For the same

reasons, parents are not permitted

to ‘visit’ the students during their

On Site experience.

Health and Safety ofChildren

Although the On Site portion of the

trip will be low in luxury (dormitory

living, no a/c, and perhaps bucket

showers) it will be safe. We willalways ensure that there is plenty

of drinking water available, and

while the conditions will be basic

they will not be unhealthy.

Each location will be visited by

either CL or CIS staff prior to the

trip to ensure cleanliness, hygiene

and safety.

Food will often be buffet style and

local, but vegetarian options will

be available and we will check

kitchen conditions to ensure food

safety.

In case of minor illness (diarrhea,

rash, upset tummy) the children

will be treated locally. In case of

serious illness, the child will be

brought to the closest local

hospital and the parents notified

immediately.

I f , as a pare nt , you haveoverwhelming concerns about the

safety of your child, please

consider the On Campus program.

Though we will do our best to

ensure the safety of all the

children, no program can be 100%

guaranteed.

Children Who Remain On Campus

For those children who are unable to attend the On

Site segment of the CL program, regular attendance

at CIS will be required. Similar material will be studied

within the classroom of CIS. The same assignments

will be completed and contact will be maintained with

the On Site group in order to ask questions / provide

research. This stationary group will still be expected to

become involved in Reflection week, and also in the

final Presentations. These elements will be includedin their grades.

Details of Trip

The details of the trip are being worked out. End of May in

India is hot, and locations must be carefully determined.

Also, as this is not just about sight-seeing, locations must

be investigated thoroughly to create an itinerary that best

meets the goals of the program.

Most likely, the students will visit three or four locations,

chosen to provide contrast, different experiences, and

provocative discussions.

A sample itinerary will be presented to parents by the end

of May. This should provide a clearer idea of how this

program translates into day-to-day activities, and answer

many of the questions you have. B i m o n t h l y

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Costs are Included in Tuition

Costs for CL are incorporated into the 2013-14

school fees, as it is a compulsory curricular unit.

There will be an additional fee for the On Site

portion of the CL unit. A great effort is being made

to keep the program costs as low as possible,without sacrificing safety or purpose. Precise costs

will be provided as soon as possible.

Fees will include travel, food, lodging and activities.

There may be pocket expenses that the students are

responsible for (laundry, souvenirs, etc). A packing

list will be provided in advance of the voyage.

The costs will not include medical or travel

insurance. These will be the responsibility of the

parents.

Team Planning

Middle School Teachers have already begunplanning for Contextual Learning. Teachers will beallocated planning time as a part of their teachingload. Students will be preparing and making links tothe Contextual Learning unit in their Strategies forSuccess class and in their academic subject areastoo.

At the end of May, all IB2 and Grade 10 IGCSEexaminations are underway. These teachers will be

available to provide high quality coverage of the

Grade 9 classes, should a teacher attending the OnSite portion of CL be missing those classes.Contextual Learning teachers/chaperones will bethose who teach entirely or mostly Middle Schoolsubjects.

Teaching (On Site and On Campus)

Real teaching and learning will occur during the

Contextual Learning unit. Students will be evaluated

using a rubric. This rubric will be introduced in

August to CIS students and they will become familiar

with the Contextual Learning assessment during the

course of the school year. Elements included in the

rubric: Interpret and Evaluate Input, Synthesize and

Organize Content, Formulate Ideas and Opinions,

Express Ideas, Respond to Feedback, Transfer

Expression from one medium to another.

Whether a student is On Site or On Campus,

learning objectives will be similar. Both are likely tobegin with team building activities focussing on

interpersonal intelligence. Students will develop their

linguistic intelligence by journal writing, by reading

novels or articles during English class that relate to

the contextual learning sites to be visited. Problem-

solving and economics will be discussed as students

explore village life. Whether visiting a hill station, or

remaining at CIS, students will be assigned multi-

disciplinary tasks to complete. At the end of the

day these tasks will be shared and then evaluated by

teachers.

August… November… ... May June

PreparationOngoing

during Strategies for

Success and subject

classes

Qualificationfor On-Siteportiondetermined

Continuingpreparation

Examsfollowed byExperience

(19 May)

On Campus or On Site

Reflection Weekand Presentations

Timetable 2013- 2014

Female and MaleChaperones will bepresent during eachContextual LearningUnit. The student tochaperone ratio willbe 8:1. Each CL unitwill have a minimum

of 3 chaperones.

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contextual learning newsletter- april 2013

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