Welcome to the Learning Lab!

You are encouraged to THINK DIFFERENTLY, creatively and outside of the box. Be a trailblazer, explorer, ground breaker, and innovator!  Read more about Customized Learning.  Consider how the language we use can drive our thinking. 

Welcome Presentation - Getting Started Guide

Keys to Success

1. Know your WHY.  Ask, ask, and ask again. Get to the heart of your beliefs, as they drive your decisions and choices.  Be intentional.

2. Identify common goals. Commit to working for a greater good beyond your own self interests. Realize that everyone is uniquely gifted and that diversity makes us stronger as a team. LAVish your teammates with understanding.

3. Adopt a growth mindset.  Explore your mind and heart, and use your strengths while realizing that "growth occurs on the edge of comfort."  As he developed the light bulb, Thomas Edison never claimed failures, just results.

4. Use your success coach!  I am committed to providing a worthwhile and enjoyable learning experience in a setting that promotes respect, a positive attitude, challenge, engagement, and empowerment.   Click on the Customized Learning link at the top of this page to learn more about how I want to serve you and help YOU meet your goals.

5. Develop 21st Century Learning Skills including critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication, and grit.  RCAS Strategic Plan

6. Learn and take to heart the Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens.  (PDF)

Procedures

Be prepared.  Have something to write with along with any other materials as directed (headphones, USB drive, etc).  Use the Game Plan, Skyward, and the calendar and  To Do list in Google Classroom to organize and prioritize your work.

Upon entry, log in go directly to the Game Plan.  Review information on the current day including learning targets, and begin quietly with the bell work posted on the calendar.   Shift gears when directed by your success coach and be intentional about working toward the goals and learning targets for the day.  At the end of the period, reflect on your learning and journal as requested.  

Take the initiative to ask for help after you've gone through the strategic thinking steps. (Posted above the PAUSE sign near the bottom of this page and posted in the room.)

Use your time wisely.  Become an expert at shifting gears.  

• Green involves lively and productive conversation and some movement in the classroom.

• Yellow means you're seated and focused on your work, minimal whispering related to the activities is acceptable.

• Red suggests a time to be quiet, focus, reflect, and work without distractions.

Enrichment.  If you finish work early, check in with the teacher and check out the enrichment options.

Refer to the student handbook regarding grading procedures and late work. You will have periodic grades throughout the semester including project grades, quizzes/tests, and various assignments.  An emphasis will be placed on the 6 C's: communication, collaboration, creating, critical thinking, character, and citizenship.  Assessments may include coach assessments, group assessments, and self-assessments.

• Team Culture.  Work collaboratively to help every one of your team members be successful.  

• Late Work.  When you complete or hand in an assignment at a time other than the rest of the class due to absences, etc, email your coach to have it graded and entered in the gradebook.  Include your 3-digit student number in the subject line.  When an assignment is missing, I check it and mark it as a zero for YOUR benefit so you don't have surprises on report cards.

• Redo.  Our goal is that you master key learning objectives. If you are not happy with the grade you received on an assignment, apply for the opportunity to continue work within one week of receiving your grade. Write your name and student number on a piece of paper, explain why you feel your grade was low and what can be done differently next time.  Using class time wisely is a prerequisite for this privilege.  

• Test Corrections/Retakes.  Test corrections and retakes must typically be completed outside of class time.  Corrections are due at the beginning of class the day after you take the quiz/test and MUST contain your student number and be meaningful, thorough, and use complete sentences that convey the full meaning of the original question.  (Not okay:  "Number 3 should have been B.")  You will need to complete your retake with three days of the original test before or after school with coach.  Detailed instructions are posted in your Google Classroom.

• Leaving the Room.  Come prepared to stay in the room.  If you must leave, sign out using the designated sign-out sheet.

Classroom Management 

Proactive classroom management:  Challenge - Engage - Empower.  Learners who are appropriately challenged and are empowered with ownership in their learning are typically engaged and are a benefit to the team.  Students are encouraged to proactively schedule a meeting with me for any reason.  

Intentionality. We aim to make intentional decisions based upon a common vision, mission and set of goals.  Take time to review the Vision and Mission of the RCAS and the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  Think about them, debate them, discuss them, and internalize them.  When they become part of your core belief system, making the right decision will become second nature.

Self-Discipline.  Welcome the opportunity to exercise self-discipline.  If practice is needed, students will be prompted with eye contact, proximity, verbal reminders, coaching session/strengths meeting, and restorative justice processes. 

Growth Mindset.  When a learner's choices and behaviors are don't appear to be beneficial to the good of the team, a learner will be invited to a "strengths meeting" to discuss how choices and strengths can be used in more productive ways.  Parental Involvement will depend upon the nature of the behavior.  In most cases the first meeting will be between the student and the teacher. Students are encouraged to visit with parents and brainstorm solutions.   

Team Jobs.  Students will use their strengths to work together for the common good of the team.

Technology Smart Start 

Always act with integrity when using technology.  Be responsible, honest, respectful, and intentional. Read the RCAS Computer Use Agreement by going to rcas.org > Students > Handbooks.   RCAS utilizes desktop management software for administration and monitoring.

The Technology Smart Start reference sheet will get you up and running as you begin the semester.  

Strategic Thinking & Troubleshooting Steps

Growth occurs on the edge of comfort.  Think about the struggle of the butterfly breaking free from the cocoon.  Watch here. 

1. Think, Explore & Experiment

2. Use the Help menu, tutorials, or online sources of help

3. Ask a neighbor, then ask your success coach

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