AIM’s Guiding Principles - Inspiring a love for learning
Multiage Learning
A Multiage Learning structure is built around connecting students from different grade levels. Multiage learning provides many benefits for students, parents and teachers. The diversity of students within the class frees each student to become comfortable with their own individuality, to establish their own pace of achievement and to view themselves as capable learners. Students develop leadership, increased self-esteem and self-discipline in an environment that encourages empathy. Student goals are designed around competencies, not grade levels.
Habits of Mind
A set of sixteen thinking behaviors that assist the learner in applying life skills that will make them a more successful innovator, collaborator, problem solver and lifelong learner. Some of these habits include: persistence, managing impulsivity, thinking flexibly, and listening with empathy. AIM’s teaching team will model and provide explicit instruction on these essential thinking habits so learners are prepared to be responsible and successful citizens.
21st Century Learning Skills
Skills, which include but are not limited to critical thinking, effective communication, collaboration and creativity, which are considered essential for students to be successful in our competitive, information-age, technology-driven economy and society.
Community Connections
The AIM teaching team will facilitate opportunities that connect learning to real world experiences through the utilization of resources found within our community. We believe that learning takes place inside and outside of the “school walls.” The community and its members will all be part of our anytime/everywhere learning environment.
Project Based Learning
A teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge. Essential project design elements include key knowledge, a challenging problem or question, sustained inquiry, authenticity, student voice and choice, reflection, critique and revision, and a public product. Community showcase events offer students the opportunity to present their learning.
Personalized Learning
A personalized learning system provides opportunities to maximize the potential of all students. This is accomplished by using a wide range of resources and strategies appropriate for each student’s unique learning style, abilities, and interests. It is our intent to personalize math instruction as best we can.
Collaborative Learning Environment
AIM’s learning environment is designed to allow students a variety of learning settings to allow for collaboration, research, independent study, conferencing with advisors, whole group presentations, and small group seminars. Collaborative/team teaching allows us to see learners through multiple perspectives. It allows natural relationships to form between students, teachers, and parents. Teachers are also empowered to use their strengths in the classroom while minimizing interruptions from learning.
Environmental Stewardship
The integration and application of preserving and sustaining valuable natural resources. Students will strive to become environmental stewards by becoming aware and knowledgeable of the world around them and making sure they do as little as possible to negatively impact our natural world. Some specific examples our students may be working on will be water quality, prairie restoration, and assisting the DNR with monitoring multiple species.
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