Building Lifelong Learners: Empowering Student Ownership at BCHS
Our Learning Philosophy
At Burke County High School, we're dedicated to developing a love of learning that empowers students to thrive throughout their lives. As a Visible Learning Associate School, we believe effective learning occurs when we continually reflect on successful strategies and collaborate as a school community. Our teachers engage in ongoing professional development to enhance their practices, ensuring we utilize the latest research-based methods to benefit our students.
Empowering Student Ownership
This year, we're building on our foundation of strong teacher clarity by empowering students to drive their own learning. Last year, we focused on helping students understand the purpose and goals of their learning by teaching them to answer three key questions:
- What am I learning? (Learning targets)
- Why am I learning it? (Relevance)
- How will I know that I've learned it? (Success criteria)
This year, we're encouraging students to take greater ownership of their learning journey by regularly reflecting on:
- What am I learning?
- What progress have I made?
- What are my next steps?
By fostering this self-awareness and encouraging students to take an active role in their learning, we aim to cultivate independent, lifelong learners who are prepared to succeed in college, careers, and beyond.
Visible Learning for Student Success
We leverage the Visible Learning framework, developed by John Hattie, to ensure our practices have a significant impact on student achievement. This research-based approach emphasizes strategies like clear learning intentions, effective feedback, and developing assessment-capable learners.
Clear learning intentions ensure students understand what they're expected to learn. Effective feedback provides students with clear guidance on how to improve. Developing assessment-capable learners empowers students to actively monitor their own learning progress.
The GROWL Within
Our core values, embodied in the acronym GROWL, guide our approach to learning:
G - Goal-Oriented: We set clear goals and persevere through challenges.
R - Resourceful: We seek creative solutions and utilize available tools effectively.
O - Open-minded: We approach learning with a willingness to consider new perspectives.
W - Willing to Collaborate: We work effectively with others, valuing diverse viewpoints.
L - Lifelong Learners: We embrace curiosity and seek continuous growth.
Embracing the Learning Pit
We use "the learning pit" as a powerful metaphor to help students understand and navigate the challenges of learning:
- Encounter: Students begin at the top, facing a new concept or challenge.
- Descent: Engaging with unfamiliar material may lead to confusion or frustration.
- Exploration: In the pit, students grapple with ideas, ask questions, and seek resources.
- Ascent: Through perseverance and support, students begin to grasp the concept.
- Understanding: Upon emerging, students have a deeper, more robust understanding.
This approach helps students develop resilience, problem-solving skills, and a growth mindset. We create confident, resourceful learners who view challenges as opportunities for growth, setting the stage for lifelong curiosity and achievement.
Partnering for Success
At Burke County High School, we're committed to cultivating lifelong learners who are prepared to contribute meaningfully to our global society. We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our curriculum, programs, and upcoming events. Partnering with our community is essential in creating a successful learning environment for all students.
Together, we are #BearBuilt Learners!
