The Indian Community School provides a comprehensive educational program for Kindergarten through 8th grade students. The educational program is based on American Indian culture and seven core values with an emphasis on assisting students in becoming proud of their individual tribes and home communities. The instructional approach includes developmentally appropriate practice in which our teachers observe and respond to each child’s unique blend of physical, social, emotional and intellectual abilities and interests. The program provides research based practice that includes the learning environment and schedule, adult-child interactions, instructional methods, content, and assessment.
Seven Essential Ingredients for Student Centered Learning
- Student Centered Learning
When students are directly involved in the discovery of knowledge based on the students’ needs and skill level. Teachers work with students to guide instruction, building on prior knowledge, and using instructional strategies that positively impact student learning.
- Environment
The physical and organizational aspects of the classroom. The development of the physical space to meet the levels, learning styles, and needs of the students combined with procedures and routines to facilitate learning allows the class to function in a positive, productive, and efficient manner.
- Engagement
When students are exploring, thinking, questioning, conversing, or reflecting about an activity in order to construct knowledge. Engagement allows students to make critical personal connections, interact with others, and use all of the senses to connect new information to prior knowledge.
- Interaction
The exchange of ideas between adults and students, students and students, and adults and adults that facilitate learning and understanding. Interactions include problem solving skills, collaboration, and positive communication strategies for working with peers and adults.
- Assessment
An ongoing process which occurs routinely in a variety of ways. Student surveys, checklists, observations, informal and formal assessments and student projects and work samples are all part of a comprehensive process.
- Content
The merging of standards, benchmarks, and subject knowledge expectations with the student’s culture, experiences and interests. Additionally, content is ultimately dependent upon assessed student needs.
- Instructional Strategies
Learning new information is influenced by a range of variables for each learner. Strategies that incorporate novelty and variation help students stay focused. Examples of instructional strategies that positively impact student learning include: finding a reason for students to participate, connecting new learning to prior knowledge, and engaging the student socially.
