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Teaching & Learning Priorities
Dr. Brian Harris, Barrington 220 Superintendent of Schools, vividly recalls his days as a high school student in downstate Tuscola, Illinois. Back then students used pencils and paper, classrooms had chalkboards, and desks were in rows. “It was very traditional,” Dr. Harris said. "I did not touch a computer until I was a senior in high school, when I had the opportunity to take a computer science class. The Radio Shack TRS-80 desktop machine was amazing!" That was 1983. Fast-forward to 2018 and a lot has changed in the world of education.
Thus, in January 2017 the Blueprint 220 core team was formed. The core team consists of community members, parents, teachers, district administrators, representatives from the board of education and architectural firm DLR Group. They identified four core areas of education and began to examine how upgrading our facilities can enhance teaching and learning in each area.DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE TEACHING & LEARNING PRIORITIES DATA SHEET
FUTURE-READY LEARNING
Provide students with access to innovative, personalized learning opportunities, while using technology to prepare students for an ever-changing workforce.Empower students to own their learning
Connect curriculum to student interests
Create real-world problem solving opportunities
Use technology to drive growth
Extend action to global community
Support all learners in workplace transitionDemonstrate critical thinking, communication, collaboration, & creativity
Develop academic mindsets & learn how to learn
Value diversity
Adapt to change
Self-advocate for social-emotional developmentLarge, small, & independent learning flexible spaces
Interdisciplinary teacher team areas
Blended learning spaces
Hub of connected spaces for student services
Updated library spaces
Spaces for district programming
Teacher professional learning spaces.STEM & CAREER PATHWAYS
Engage students in integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematical practices through authentic and real-world problem-solving opportunities rooted in inquiry and innovation.Broaden approaches to investigate, model, & explain
Support the engineering process
Find immediate & practical applications
Deepen understanding STEM-based concepts
Solve real-world challenges
Explore STEM careers.Use multiple approaches to solve problems
Create models/experiments to answer questions
Communicate evidence precisely
Seek & provide feedback reciprocally
Think flexibly & inter-dependently
Stretch imagination.Spaces to fully explore career pathways
Dedicated, updated, & redesigned science & engineering labs/hubs
Spaces mirror real-world scientific environments
Availability of hands-on creation maker spaces.VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS
Provide a high-quality educational program that advances interest, knowledge, experiences, and abilities in visual and performing arts and enhances the community through product and performance.Creative exploration opportunities
Artistic media variety
Participation as creators, performers, & audience members
Collaboration & connection
Share art to build community
Appreciate cultures & societiesForm mental images & concepts
Investigate through observation, study, exploration, & examination
Construct by combining parts or elements
Opportunities for self-reflectionPerforming arts activity spaces on & off the stage
Staging, storage, display, studio, & construction spaces
Artist-in-action spaces
Up-to-date sound & visual technology
Shared space availability & flexible classroom spaces near fine arts centers
Enhanced entryways & accessibilityPHYSICAL ACTIVITY & WELLNESS
Develop traits to engage in physical activity and wellness; an appreciation for physical fitness; and participation in extracurricular and co-curricular club, including individual and team sports.Self-monitor & self-evaluate personal health & fitness
Establish goals for personal fitness
Use proper techniques for fitness, health, & sports
Opportunities for leadership
Mindfulness through reflection
Showcase diverse talents & interests through teams & clubs.Self-awareness, self-monitoring, self-evaluation, self-motivation, & self-discipline
Teamwork
Communication & collaboration
Strength & enduranceUpdated athletic areas
Additional turf surfaces
Additional personalized fitness spaces
Environment supporting stress reduction
Outdoor lab & flexible classroom spaces near athletic centers
Enhanced entryways & accessibility.