Sunday, April 6, 2014

Austin Experiences Project Based Learning...


If you've followed us for any length of time, you know that Austin Elementary is on a journey to implement the Schoolwide Enrichement Model (SEM).  You also know that as a district, we are digging deep ("soaking") into the CISD Learning Framework.  Additionally, each campus has been charged with selecting a learning design model (UbD or PBL).  Austin Elementary has selected Project Based Learning because of how closely it aligns with SEM Enrichment Clusters.  Put all of this together, and you have somewhat of a PD melting pot.  

With that in mind, we set out to design a meaningful learning experience for our educators that (hopefully) can kill three PD birds (SEM, Learning Framework, and PBL) with one stone.  Thus, our Austin educator PBL unit was born!  If done correctly, this educator PBL unit could help strengthen our understanding of the relationship between SEM and the CISD Learning Framework, AND provide the opportunity for our educators to actually experience a PBL unit as we go through the training.  

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

SEMCamp @ Austin

Austin Elementary is a school of passionate individuals (both learners AND educators).  We're so passionate about what we do that we included it in our guiding purpose...

"At Austin Elementary, we are driven to unlock the passion
and cultivate the uniqueness inherent in every learner."

One of our passions as educators is sharing our experiences of the Schoolwide Enrichment Model with others.  That's one reason why on Friday mornings we continually play host to educators from other campuses curious about what SEM looks like "in action."  

With that in mind, we have dreamed up what we affectionately call SEMCamp. This will be a 3-day experience designed for classroom teachers and administrators alike where we will dive deeply into the Schoolwide Enrichment Model and how it can impact a campus.  Check out this Smore, and learn more about what SEMCamp could do for your educators!