CONNECT
Program Proposal for Twin Rivers Education Centre, Kamloops, BC
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What is CONNECT?
CONNECT is a proposed program for Fridays within the alternate education campus at Twin Rivers Education Centre that is designed to address the following inquiry questions:
In the alternative education setting, how do we balance a learner's need for a self-paced, individualized program with their need for connection and sense of belonging?
Can a variety of experiential learning opportunities increase attendance on Fridays and simultaneously boost student sense of belonging?
It is our desire that the CONNECT program will help students feel a greater sense of belonging by offering additional experential learning opportunities, increasing student attendance and engagement on Fridays, and strengthening learners in the three CORE competencies of Communication, Thinking, and Personal/Social Competency.
The program will help learners CONNECT to:
Culture (Additional Indigenous teachings from Elders and Knowledge Keepers through ceremonies, smudging, sweats, pow wows, hunting, preparing food/hides, building drums/tools, youth activities, etc.), cultural food demonstrations and preparation, Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) and inclusion activities.
Our community (community service activities (like shoveling snow, garbage pick up, Food Bank volunteerism) and involving outside agency visits (for example, RCMP's Cookies with Cops, career preparation with the John Howard Society, the Boys and Girls Club activities.)
Nature (Outdoor education - walking, hiking, biking, skating, snow shoeing, paintball, wide games, McQueen Lake environmental education, kyaking, fishing, gardening)
Nourishment (body, mind and soul - Cooking classes, gardening, nutrition education, Consent Cafe, mindfulness, yoga etc.)
Educational skills support (Extra learning support, critical thinking and collaboration skill development through board games, role play games, card games, puzzles, chess, group challenges like Amazing Race and Minute to Win It)
Creativity (art workshops, urban art/murals, ceramics, field trips to the art gallery, drama activities, music - guitar, piano, songwriting, recording)
Trades and technology (makerspace activities, jewelry making, woodworking/carving, videography, photography, coding)
How Does It Work?
The regular daily schedule will be suspended on Fridays. Once per term, teachers will meet to plan and organize different CONNECT activities for each Friday based on their personal interests and passions. Teachers will be responsible to determine how student learning in the activity is best assessed. Staff may choose to evaluate student learning as it aligns with subject specific curriculm (if possible), and/or they will assess students for their progression with CORE competency skills.
A calendar of events will circulate at the beginning of each term so that students will have time to make their choices and staff will have time to organize details.
Students will choose which activities they would like to attend.
There will be a variety of experiential activities running each Friday - some on-site and some off-site. Students will be encouraged to sign up for activities in advance, but we will make every effort to have enough on-site choices that can easily accomodate learners who did not sign up for activities ahead of time.
A developmental program evaluation will begin by the end of the first term of implementation to help us identify issues early on and make necessary changes as we go.
Click here to learn more about the Principles and Values of the CONNECT Program:
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