Select is different than a traditional classroom, and it has a language and culture that is its own. We treat education like it is a journey. It is a time for you to explore a world of knowledge, following you interests and curiosities. In keeping with this theme, we like to call our pupils explorers instead of students. A student is a person that sits and listens to a teacher, following instructions, and only learning what the teacher instructs. An explorer is a person that seeks new things for themselves. An explorer is willing to try new paths. They are not afraid of the unknown. They backtrack and try again when something doesn't work. They solve their own problems.
It is important for an explorer to have grit. Grit is the ability to keep going when things are tough. It is the mind set of not giving up just because something didn't work. It is the quality of motivating yourself to do the work to achieve your goals.
The adults don't think of themselves as teachers, either. They are guides. They do not lecture. They do not spoon feed students. They do not expect all students to act the same, learn the same, or have the same interests. They guide students when they are lost and when they need help. Most of their work will be with individual students, not with groups.
There are certain topics that the guides know explorers will have trouble with. They may organize an expedition to help out. An expedition is a short, guided, group learning experience. The may last from a few days to a few weeks. For instance, an expedition might be about just World War II, or it might guide explorers through writing their first argumentative essay. Expeditions will usually meet in the expedition room, which is the small room near the entrance of the Select room.
All courses in Select are broken into targets. Targets are skills or knowledge that you have to acquire. In order to get credit for a target, you have to be proficient. Proficient means that you can do the skill or know the knowledge at the expected level. Even though being proficient earns a B in Skyward, it does not mean that you got an 80%. You have to have 100% of the required knowledge or skill to be proficient.
Select uses rubrics to make it clear what the standard is for a target. A rubric is a chart or guide that shows expectations for different levels. It is kind of a 'checklist' of what you need to know. The "3" rubric will have everything required for proficiency. If you want to learn a little more, you can follow the "4" rubric, which is 'Above Proficient.' If you learn a target to the point that you could teach it, then you have achieved mastery, which is a "5". There is usually not a rubric for a 5. It is just a level of understanding that impresses the guide.
All of the courses, targets, rubrics, and resources can be found on the Select Website. The website you are reading this on now is the Select Website. It is useful for information, but is not used for submitting work or making announcements. Announcements and other such information will be posted on Google Classroom. MyLC is the website used to submit work and track your progress. ALEKS is the website used for doing math courses.
When you are trying to meet a target, you will turn in "evidence" of your learning. Remember that this is evidence to prove your proficiency, so make sure you turn in something convincing! Evidence could include essays, presentations, artwork, videos, etc. Some targets require more than one evidence, and others only require one. Remember that an evidence only counts if it meets the rubric.