THE HIGHLANDS WAY

Three Programs – One School

KINDERGARTEN

DISCOVERY – Looping Model

CONTINUOUS PROGRESS – Multi-age Classes

We all use The Highlands Way

Relationships are important

Caring climate

Empowering Students

The Highlands Way

Students, Staff and Parents value:

Relationships – looping & multi-age

Partnerships

Open Communication

Working together to address issues

Thoughtful Problem Solving

Core Programs at Highlands

Restitution Self-Discipline

(Behavior/Citizenship)

Integrated Thematic Instruction

(Academic)

Cooperative Learning/Conflict

Resolution (Social)

These ideas and skills are valuable

throughout your life

Continuous improvement

Restitution Self-Discipline

Provides shared language and ideas: 30 second interventions, my job/your job, classroom belief statements & development of self control

Development of personal responsibility

Development of internal controls

Diane Gossen

Alfie Kohn

Daniel Pink

William Glasser

Restitution Self-Discipline

Impact on student attitude and behavior

Impact on staff development

Impact on parents

Alfie Kohn

Researcher and Author

Internal vs External Control

Coercion vs Understanding

Punished By Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A’s, Praise, and Other Bribes

Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason

Conceptual Teaching

Integrated Thematic Instruction

Biology of Learning/Brain Research

Conceptual Curriculum

Inquiry

Experiential Learning (Being there)

Thematic Learning

Lifeskills and Lifelong guidelines

Cooperative Learning

David and Roger Johnson

Structured Approach: Academic goals,

Social goals, Roles and Processing

Development of Group Skills/Social Skills

Kagan Structures

21st Century Skills (Collaboration, Critical

Thinking, Creative Problem Solving &

Communication)

The Value of Cooperative Learning

Greater Efforts to Achieve: higher achievement and greater productivity, long-term retention, intrinsic motivation, higher level reasoning and critical thinking

The Value of Cooperative Learning

More Positive Relationships Among Students: esprit-de-corps, caring and committed relationships, personal and academic social support, valuing of diversity

The Value of Cooperative Learning

Greater Psychological Health: general psychological adjustment, social development, social competencies, self esteem, ability to cope with adversity and stress

Cooperative Learning

Cooperative Context for students: base

groups, class meetings and class goals

Cooperative Context for staff: teams,

programs and staff development

Cooperative Context for parents:

involvement and partnership

Conflict Resolution

Students learn to mediate and negotiate in

grades k-5

David and Roger Johnson

Fits with and strengthens the cooperative

learning and the cooperative context

6 steps: I want, I feel, My reason is, My

understanding of you is, Maybe we should

try, Let’s choose

Creating Innovators – Tony

Wagner

Play

Passion

Purpose

Highlands Way vs Deficit Models

What students can do

Not what they can not do

Spark – Peter Benson

Element – Ken Robinson

Kids can take responsibility, be tour

guides, do service, change the world

The Highlands Way

Education that addresses academic, social

and emotional growth

Lifeskills, Lifelong Guidelines and Ethical

Values

Parent involvement

Creativity