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STRIVE A program of Forest Lake Area Learning Center. STRIVE. Success Through Research and Investigation in Various Environments We are a school within a school that serves 7th and 8th grade students at Century and Southwest. Program Expectations. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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STRIVEA program of Forest Lake
Area Learning Center
STRIVE• Success• Through• Research and• Investigation in• Various • Environments
We are a school within a school that serves 7th and 8th grade students
at Century and Southwest.
Program Expectations• Meet district and state
learner outcomes in math, social studies, and English
• Supportive and encouraging environment with strong student-teacher interactions fostered to improve learning and instruction
• Interdisciplinary• Differentiated Instruction• Service Learning component• Emphasis on technology
integration
Sample Schedule
Century
Advisory
Per 1-3 STRIVE
Period 4 Music
Lunch
Period 5 Art
Period 6 PE
Period 7 Science
Southwest
Homeroom
Per 1 Band
Period 2 Health
Period 3 Art
Period 4 Science
Lunch
Period 5-7 STRIVE
A Day in STRIVE
Starter-skills practice, student led discussion, transition into classroom, used to enrich
units of study
Breakouts-subject and grade level specific instruction
Thematic Time-interdisciplinary units and project work time
With a 2 1/2 hour block of time, this schedule changes based upon
teacher and student needs.
Units of Study
From the peaks of Mount Everest to the
depths of the oceans, students will
challenge the boundaries of their world while being
immersed in experiential
learning.
Sample Course Outline-First QuarterI. Passport to Exploration
A.Skill building 1.Search Internet 2.Practice presenting information to class 3.Work in groupsB.Explore your world—independent project answering student developed questions
II. Personal HistoryA.Research family treeB.Present specialties of cultural background to class (food, music, recreation)
III. Passport Stop: Ancient Greece and the Olympic GamesA.Games: Then and NowB.Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
IV. Warner Nature Center and Ecosystem Overview A.Help in Prairie Restoration Project at Warner
B.Review Biomes and our roll in preserving themV. Passport Stop: Medieval Times
A.Family Crest researchB.King Arthur studyC.Renaissance Festival Field Trip
VI. United States Immigration through the yearsA. Indigenous PopulationsB.ColonistsC.African AmericansD.IrishE.ItaliansF.Hmong and more recent immigrants
VII. PoliticsA.Understand the election processB.Prepare campaign slogans and adsC.Mock election
Past Service Learning Opportunities
Warner Nature Center
Prairie Restoration ProjectBuckthorn Removal
Bird and Turtle BandingSnowshoeing and Winter Survival
Kindergarten Buddies
National Reading DayPeer Tutors
Classroom VolunteersSTRIVE Buddies
Celebrations!
As we explore the world we will take the time to celebrate our successes and share in the sense of accomplishment that each child will
take from personal growth and discovery.
STRIVE Reflections
“STRIVE is an important place because we get good support to achieve our goals.”
-Cynthia
“I like the projects in STRIVE. It is cool to do more hands on work.”
-Nate
“I like STRIVE because the teachers communicate with you more and the class is smaller which is better for me.”
-Zoie
“STRIVE gives more time to do work and the teachers work one on one to help me learn more.”
-Mitch
STRIVE NarrativesAlthough there is no typical profile of a student who seeks out an alternative education setting, there is common thread of their need to feel a part of something, and to feel valued as an individual. Here
are a few examples of their stories. SHELLY
Shelly arrived in STRIVE as a sixth grader, and spent the next three years as an active participant in the program. She had been unsuccessful academically in school in the past, and she had been told by many teachers that she was mouthy and disrespectful. The reality was that Shelly wanted to challenge, and be challenged by those around her. Different than her past experiences in school, Shelly looked forward to coming to STRIVE because she felt as though her individuality and her ideas were respected. Connecting with her teachers through on a more informal, first name basis, and being a part of the decision-making process, teamwork and project-based assignments helped Shelly to feel less alienated by the academics, and more able to fully engage. Although it wasn’t perfect since some days she was tired of being around the same people all day, every day, she learned that she didn’t have to alter herself to fit in, or expect that of others. She recognized the value of dialogue and had increased patience for getting to
the heart of individuals. Her experience helped her to evolve as a person.
More STRIVE NarrativesAlthough there is no typical profile of a student who seeks out an alternative education setting, there is common thread of their need to feel a part of something, and to feel valued as an individual. Here
are a few examples of their stories. NOAH
Noah’s perception of the ALC, and the STRIVE program was that it was just a smaller version of all of the schools he had ever attended. When he enter the STRIVE as a seventh grader, and through his eighth grade year, he discovered he was wrong. The STRIVE program was totally different. He was encouraged that the teachers not only knew his name, but had a genuine interest in getting to know him. Activities that asked him for his input on units of study, assignments, projects, helped him to feel a part of the process. Better yet, no one seemed afraid of his weird ideas. The energy that Noah brought to the classroom was contagious. Noah listened, risked, led and was a strong critical thinker who liked to challenge the status quo.
More STRIVE NarrativesAlthough there is no typical profile of a student who seeks out an alternative education setting, there is common thread of their need to feel a part of something, and to feel valued as an individual. Here
are a few examples of their stories. ZEKE
Zeke was a seventh grader when he first walked into the STRIVE classroom, and was a strong participant throughout his eighth grade year. He was a bundle of energy happy to be in a program that had an emphasis on hands-on project based learning. Our service learning project at Warner Nature Center was perfect for his love of nature, and all things outdoors. The focus on respect for our natural world was something that was important to him, but even better was that the teachers got dirty, and did the needed work alongside the students. It was all of the teamwork, and team learning that made it easier to connect the academic world to the real world, and then helped him to like school again. Being able to design activities, and develop his own traditions gave him a space to really learn and dig deeper.
More STRIVE NarrativesAlthough there is no typical profile of a student who seeks out an alternative education setting, there is common thread of their need to feel a part of something, and to feel valued as an individual. Here
are a few examples of their stories. LIZA
Although Liza started her seventh grade year at a traditional junior high, she transferred to STRIVE during the second quarter of that year, and stayed through her eighth grade year. She talked more than listened, and often was caught bullying others. When Liza spoke about her experience she too recognized that it was finally the feeling of not being judged by her classmates and teachers that helped her to come into her own. What was modeled in STRIVE was staying true to yourself and your ideas, and not being afraid to show it. Liza enjoyed examining different perspectives, constantly asking more questions, and uncovering the layers in any number of subjects. Most importantly she found the ability to trust, to consider, to complement, and to compromise. According to Liza, there were the times that people were too far into each others business, but that’s what you get when you are a family.
Program Information• Contact STRIVE staff with questions
Kyle Oberg 651/[email protected]
Britt Schachtele 651/[email protected]
Allison Whittlef 651/[email protected]
Or visit our website at:http://alc.forestlake.k12.mn.us
Program Enrollment Information
• For program information contact the ALC:• Scott Urness 651/982-3188 or at surness@forestlake
.k12.mn.us• Steps in the enrollment process:
– Teacher/Counselor/Learning Team referral– Contact ALC to set up intake meeting to begin process– While this is not a special education program, we do serve
some sped students. Kelly Lessman reviews student files to determine appropriate placement before enrollment can begin.