LEARNING REIMAGINEDCREATING A MODERN LEARNING EXPERIENCE

HUMANIZE• Valueandaffirmeach

student’sunique brillianceandhelpeachreachhis/herfullesthumanpotential.

• Understandthatourstudentsaremorethantestscores.

• Viewstudentsholisticallyandsupportthemacademicallyandsocio-emotionally.

• Coordinateeventsandactivitiesthathelpestablishconnectionswiththeworldoutsideofschool.

• Understandthathealthystudent-teacherrelationshipsarecrucialtoholisticstudentgrowth.

• Allowstudentsmorevoiceandchoiceinacademicsettings.

• Promotethepowerandimportanceoftherelationshipbetweenhomeandschool.

• AffirmthatDistrictteachersandstaffaretalented,experienced,honorableandcommittedhumanbeingsandtreatthemwithrespectanddignity.

• Reinforcecommitmenttoprinciplesofequity,access,justice,restorative practicesandrespectfordifferences.

• Broadensocialandteambuildingskillsbyofferingextracurriculareducationinsupportofalldisciplines.

PERSONALIZE• Considerindividuallearning

styles,interests,strengthsandpersonalexperiencestocustom fitlearning.

• Providespecificacademicpathwaysthatleadtoqualitycollegeandcareerchoices.

• Providehigh-qualityscience,technology,engineeringandmathematics(STEM)learningopportunitiestoallstudents.

• Leverage technologytohelpeachstudentlearnathis/herpace.

• Provideone-on-one counseling, coaching,tutoringandmentoringtoensureeachstudent’ssuccess.

• Encourageleadershiprolesthroughparticipationofspecialinterestactivities.

• Provideopportunitiesforstudentstoexploreandthriveinabroadrangeofarts,humanitiesandscienceofferings.

• Createunique classroom spaces andteamconfigurationsthatinspirecreativity,ingenuityandcollaboration.

PROBLEMATIZE • Provideopportunitiesand

programsthatencouragestudentstoproblem-solve,create,design,debate,advocate,improve,performandchallenge.

• Providerigorous,memorable learning experiences thatstimulateinnovationandcreativityandconnectstudentstotheworldoutsideoftheclassroom.

• Engagestudentsintheexplorationofsocialissuesrelativetodiversity,equity,andinclusiveness.

• Encouragestudentstochallengeallformsofprejudiceanddiscrimination.

Learning Reimagined involvesthreecorepillarsthathumanize,personalizeandproblematizelearning.Usingachievementdataalongwithinsightandfeedbackfromallstakeholdergroups,oureducationteamsarefocusingonprofessionallearning,curriculumdevelopment,instructionaldesignandcommunitypartnerships.Academicachievementgrowsfromthetotalclassroomexperience.TheLearning Reimaginedstrategiesandconceptsoutlinedbelowopenthedoortoanewwayofteachingandlearningthatbringsnewenergy,connectionsandpossibilitiestoourteachers,studentsandcommunity.

THREE CORE PILLARS

LEARNING REIMAGINEDTheSchoolDistrictofUniversityCityhasadoptedaninnovative,strategicandtransformationalapproachtoempoweringstudentscalled,Learning Reimagined.Thisprogramdrawsuponresearchandbestpracticesfromaroundthecountryandisdesignedtosupportavarietyoflearningexperiencesthatleadstudentstoproblem-solve,create,design,build,advocate,communicateandengagewiththeworldoutsidetheclassroom.

METHODS:• Developprogrammingpartnershipswithlocalorganizations

• Provideafullspectrumoffineartsclassesincludingmusic,art,danceanddrama

• PromoteSTEM-based(science,technology,engineeringandmathematics)classesandextracurriculars

• Supportathleticsandclubsforavarietyofstudenttalentsandinterests

• Coordinateprojectsandfieldtripsthattacklereal-worldproblemsandencouragesolutions

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLEARLY CHILDHOOD - 5TH GRADE

“To be successful in our constantly changing world, students must build the skills to respond to, engage with,

and solve authentic problems. Learning Reimagined fosters an educational

environment where teachers and students can work together to build these skills.”

- Stephanie Appel, 5th Grade Teacher

In elementary school, the Learning Reimagined approach teaches students that school is a special place where:

• Youlearnandgroweveryday

• Learningisfun!

• Teachersandstaffhelpwiththehardstuff

• Youworkandplaywithfriendsandmakenewones

• Thereisplentyoftimeandspacetobecreative

• Hardworkhelpsmakeyoubetter

MIDDLE SCHOOL6TH GRADE - 8TH GRADE

"Learning Reimagined really looks deeply at the human side of learning. We have to touch their hearts and their heads

to build kids that are college, career, and life ready."

- Christina Grove, Middle School Instructor

At Brittany Woods Middle School, the Learning Reimagined approach:

• Createsanactive,engaginglearningenvironment

• Includescarefullycraftedunitsofstudythatsupportlearning

• Offersanopportunitytolearnthroughexperiences

• Buildsadeeperunderstandingofcontentthatallowsstudentstoretain,transferandapplyinformation

• Promotesacaringandpersonalizedlearningenvironment

• Createsopportunitiesformorestudentchoiceinallphasesoflearning

HIGH SCHOOL9TH GRADE - 12TH GRADE

“Learning Reimagined allows teachers the freedom to be

innovative and creative with our students. Students want an active classroom that allows for them to

explore ideas and solve real problems."

- Matthew Tuths, High School Latin Instructor

At University City High School, the Learning Reimagined approach:

• Createsfreshenergyforthehighschoolexperience

• Makeslearningmeaningfulandrealforeachstudent

• Supportseachstudentasapersonwhileworkingtomeetallofhis/herneeds

• Preparesstudentsforjobopportunitiesintraditionalandemergingfields

• Includesguidance,internships,connectionsandaportfolioofexperiencesneededforcollegeadmissionorcareerreadiness

• Springboardsstudentsintoacollaborativelearningenvironmentsupportedbyteacherswhoareempowered,engagedandexcitedaboutwherewegofromhere

• Challengesstudentstothinkanddream“big”

Additional Information on Pillar Concepts

Humanize:"Researchershavedocumentedtheimportanceofcaringteacher-studentandstudent-studentrelationshipsinfosteringstudents'commitmenttoschoolandinpromotingacademicsuccess."www.edutopia.org/sel-research-learning-outcomes

Personalize:Researchshows"differentiatedinstructioncanenablestudentswithawiderangeofabilities-fromgiftedstudentstothosewithmildorevenseveredisabilities-toreceiveanappropriateeducationininclusiveclassrooms."www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/feb10/vol67/num05/Differentiated-Learning.aspx

Problematize:"Studieshaveproventhatwhenimplementedwell,project-basedlearning(PBL)canincreaseretentionofcontentandimprovestudents'attitudestowardslearning,amongotherbenefits."www.edutopia.org/pbl-research-learning-outcomes

Our MissionTransformthelifeofeverystudenteveryday.

OUR ValueS1.Standaccountableforstudentlearningandachievement

2.Demonstrateintegritybyoperatingwithhighethicalstandards

3.Promotecollaborationthatleadstoinnovation4.Engageinopencommunicationwithallstakeholders

Our VisionIntheSchoolDistrictofUniversityCity,allstudentsgraduatecollegeandcareerready.

The School District

of University City

8136 Groby Road

St. Louis, MO 63130

(314) 290-4001

ucityschools.org