Mastery of
Knowledge & Skills:
Claim 3
Frank Elementary students articulate their critical thinking and demonstrate ownership of their learning.
Frank students think critically, which means they understand connections between ideas and integrate other’s ideas and perspectives within their own thinking. Students then apply the knowledge gained to generate solutions and communicate their growth and learning, through products and presentations. Students experience deeper learning in all classes and as a result are inspired to do more than they ever thought possible.
Every student at Frank is exposed to two learning expeditions each year. During expeditions students are challenged, engaged, and empowered daily. Hands-on, in-depth projects and products spark our students to have academic courage to think outside of themselves and their world. Frank students are learning by doing and building confidence needed to be presenters of their knowledge during our Celebrations of Learning and Student Led Conferences. But most of all, students have found joy in their learning and are eager to share their viewpoints.
Student ownership of their learning is evident through Student Led Conferences, Celebrations of Learning, student engaged assessment practices that happen multiples times a year. At these events, students present their learning, growth and products to their teachers, families and community members.
Thinking Critically in Math
IMG_0267 (1).m4vBuilding Skills to Think Critically
Zacharia, a 2nd grade student, demonstrates his ability to use mental math strategies when solving an everyday math problem. Mental math strategies help our students outside of the school setting to solve real world math problems with ease. Students are taught many different strategies to build their capacity to calculate mentally, flexibly and efficiently.
Applying Skills While Solving Problems
Students build a strong mathematical foundation through the use of manipulatives and in depth problem solving. Mental math strategies are incorporated whenever students are ready for more abstract thinking. The video to the left demonstrates Keshawn's in depth understanding of the comparison of two fractions. He began with manipulatives and moved to more abstract thinking which demonstrates his transfer of understanding of a complex topic.
Fraction Practice Standard_number model.MOV
Critical Thinking in Math
Frank students are routinely presented with a mathematical problem to solve which connects the academic standards with a real world problem. In the slide show to the right, students were presented with a problem about the amount books obtained for the bookstore at Frank School. Students were then given an opportunity to grapple with how to go about solving the problem with their partner. Upon reaching a solution, they verbally discussed the methods they used to reach a solution to the problem. Then, they presented their thinking to other students in the class. Lastly, they put their thoughts into writing by composing and sending a letter to the manager of Nifty Thrifty explaining their thinking.
"I understand the math I presented better. Now I am showing my peers so they can get better at percents."
Edgar, 5th Grader
Critical Thinking in Learning Expedition
Aubrianna and Vanessa.mp4Different Perspectives: Craft and Share Research Based Arguments
Fifth graders Vanessa and Aubrianne debate whether it is appropriate to have Native American symbols in sports with our superintendent. Both students exhibit strong beliefs for both sides of the debate selecting evidence to support their claim. The product below demonstrates the depth of knowledge our fifth graders gained during their expedition and the critical thinking they used.
Different Perspectives: Collaborating to Compare and Contrast
As part of our fifth grade explorer expedition, students became experts on Columbus' exploration of the West Indies. Through a variety of genres, fifth graders developed an awareness of Columbus' views and those of the Tainos, a Native American Tribe of the West Indies. Then, students collaborated with their partner to write a two voice poem reflecting the conflicting view points of a common theme during Columbus' exploration. They needed to step "into the shoes" of the side they were representing to discuss how events during this time affected them similarly or differently.
Different Perspectives: Integrating the Ideas and Needs of Others
Fourth grade students designed brochures for the Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast held every June as a culminating product from their Wisconsin spring expedition. Each brochure highlighted a Wisconsin based product and included a QR code to a video the students made about the dairy farms and products in Wisconsin. The video depicts Ariyana's knowledge of the importance of buying local and supporting farmers.
Arianna claim 3.mp4Demonstrating Ownership of Learning
Student Led Conferences
In 2017, Frank students in grades 2-5 began presenting their progress to their families through Student Led Conferences, a student-engaged assessment practice that supports students in leading their own learning. They show their families what they have learned and how they have progressed through their student data portfolios.
Second graders sharing their learning, data, goal setting and high quality work with their families during Student Led Conferences (SLCs). Each student facilitates the conference. Students practice their presentations with peers and staff members prior to SLCs.
"...by showing her (mom) my good work, she knows I'm learning and have good behavior," said Rickiah, a second grader (right photo).
Celebration of Learning
Celebrations of Learning are also held twice a year to showcase our expeditions and deeper learning of and critical thinking around compelling topics. Our students formally present their learning and final products to families and members of our community. Primary students explain their learning during our winter Celebration of Learning (inset photo). Students present their expeditions to families, community members and Frank students twice a year. We strive to have all students take part in this celebration. Student work is displayed throughout our hallways within documentation panels and full grade level displays are in the gym. Visitors are greeted by our student ambassadors and presented with guiding questions for each expedition (PreK thru grade five).
Kindergarteners studied living things in their neighborhood. Novalee, above, is explaining the parts of a sunflower and how a sunflower helps people, animals, and the environment.
McCarty video.mp43rd grader, McCarty shares what he learned about Cordelia Harvey, an important figure in Kenosha history and life in 1906 for students. He exhibits pure excitement in his explanations.