Recent Changes

Challenge through Choice
We believe that if students and teachers are given more choices within their school environment the students will have more intrinsic motivation to learn and the teachers will be better able to guide the process. Allowing students choices in their learning also allows them to challenge themselves in new ways everyday.
their futures. Students will be able to fit their choices in the day by incorporating essential skills and standards into the enrichment classes.
"Just think back to when you were a kid and you got your first fire truck or doll or doctor's kit or astronaut's helmet, and you told everyone you wanted to be a fireman or a fashion model or a doctor or an astronaut when you grew up. That innocent passion for a certain job, without knowing the salary or the working hours or the preparation required, is what you need to get back in touch with. It's that childlike feeling of "I want to do that because I want to do that--and I don't have to explain why" that we all need to discover. To put it simply: You need to rediscover your inner fire truck. We all have one, and when you find it, you'll know it." Friedman, p. 315
In order for our students to compete in a 21st Century world, they will need to be adept at succeeding in and accepting the hard work of challenges. Motivated students don't see challenges as something that keep them from their goal, but as something that will push them towards their goal.

Sun Associates has extensive experience in helping to determine the level of success of grant funded projects in a variety of disciplines. They are currently partnered with the Vermont Department of Education http://www.vtcite.org/node/3016 on a project centering on the creation of 21st century classrooms.
They have previously successfully partnered with the Reading Public Schools on our execution of a Teaching American History grant, Encounters and Exchanges in American History and are currently working on our History Connected TAH grant.
observations, etc. Student self-assessment after completing various projects and assignments will also be an essential part of our data collection.
We will also be keeping this wiki up as a way to communicate with other schools around the world who may be interested in restructuring their schools to better motivate their students or would like to share with us ideas that they've used at their schools.

-2 full-time school psychologist and/or counselors
-Full-time assistant principal
-Enough teachers to have classes sizes as small as 8-10 students
Technology:
-Updated technology for all grades, i.e. tablets, laptops, internet access

To"To learn how have it implanted.implanted...." Friedman p.
Motivation
One of the greatest wishes we have for our students is for them to be highly intrisic, self motivated learners. This a vital skill to their success in a "flat world" and a skill that is lacking in many of our students today. To make our school innovative, we decided to redesign our school around the theme of finding a way to motivate each and every one of our students.

As Trilling and Fadel said in their 21st Century Skills book, "We do not grow into creativity, we grow out of it." p. 57
An introduction of a dramatic arts program that could lead a school play or musical would be an excellent outlet for students. We should also have more school wide enrichment programs where the arts come to us. The school has depended on partent directed or parent funded activities, but it apparent that all students need the same access to these creative activities.
p. 31 AllowingProviding for even a small
Creativity through the arts can also help to promote better understanding of traditional core curriculums like science and math. STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) has become the push in education in the last five years. It is becoming more apparent that by simply adding "the Arts" to this acronym we may motivate and excite even more learners. In an article by Erik W. Robelen published in Education Weekly he stated that "the Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership, with support from a $1.1 million Education Department grant, is working with city schools to help elementary students better understand abstract concepts in science and mathematics, such as fractions and geometric shapes, through art-making projects." An integration of "STEAM" into the curriculum at the Killam school, would be a huge motivator for our students.

-Head sets for the computers
-Updated memberships to web 2.0 tools
11 percent." Pink, p. 82-Pink82
Innovative school design
-More open spaces

century skills." (TrillingTrilling and Fadel, p. 56)56
Creativity
Opportunities for personal challenge and creativity in our classrooms have most recently fallen victim to jam packed curriculums. It is evident though to compete in a 21st world that our students' creativity must be celebrated and encouraged. In his book, A Whole New Mind, Daniel Pink said

We believe that if students and teachers are given more choices within their school environment the students will have more intrinsic motivation to learn and the teachers will be better able to guide the process. Allowing students choices in their learning also allows them to challenge themselves in new ways everyday.
-A key component of choice is having the ability to make decisions about your own learning. In a 21st century Killam school, students will have a schedule made-up of core curriculum areas, but will also have flexibility in areas of enrichment. Students will have traditional options such as art, music and p. e. but their choices will be expanded with variability such as drama, orchestra, choir, digital video production, design, Lego engineering, language classes, technology/computer classes, etc. They will also have some choice on the frequency of the courses they choose. Some classes may be mandated, such as physical education tri-weekly. Having choices in schedules will allow students to pursue areas of passion which will in turn help them prepare for their futures.
know it." (Friedman,Friedman, p. 315) 315
In order for our students to compete in a 21st Century world, they will need to be adept at succeeding in and accepting the hard work of challenges. Motivated students don't see challenges as something that keep them from their goal, but as something that will push them towards their goal.
"While students have to learn to take responsibility for inventing and managing their own work, teachers need to raise their expectations of what students can accomplish" November, p. 57

Compassion
As teachers we know that character building is a very important part of educating our students. One essential skill for the 21st century will be the ability to show understanding and compassion towards others.
for others. Pink p. 66-Pink66
At our school we have done a lot to help build our student's character and instill compassion. We have a bucket filling philosophy as well as various pillars of character that we encourage our students to display. The district has also adopted and trained teachers in Open Circle, a social emotional learning program.
Although we have seen great success with these initiatives inside our classrooms, one of the hardest challenges is to get children to carry over what they have learned into the more unstructured parts of their day such as before school, at recess and after school.
We believe that we can help students display compassion for others by providing them with the appropriate games to play during the more unstructured times.
and humor. Pink p. 66-Pink66
The Trouble Free Playground Program is a 6-Step approach to solving common problems associated with recess at the elementary level. The creator of the program, Curt Hinson, was a teacher at the elementary level for 16 years. He holds a BS degree in Health & PE from West Virginia Wesleyan College; a Master's of Education degree from Widener University; and a PhD in Kinesiology from Temple University.
The Trouble-free Playground program includes a variety of games and activities, as well as effective management and discipline techniques, that not only help diminish common playground problems, but also help improve overall school motivation and behavior. This program helps to: reduce occurences of BULLYING; build CHARACTER, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY among children; and helps to create a safe environment on the playground and in the classroom.