CULTURE & CLIMATE | Renaissance ELE

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Culture and Climate

The culture and climate at Renaissance is crafted with thought and care because we want each individual that walks through our doors to feel a sense of belonging to something uniquely special. We accomplish this by creating a healthy and positive environment through the development of mutual understanding and trust and shared values and behaviors resulting in deep connections among individuals. These are the things that bind us together and make cooperative action possible.

Core

Values

Role of the Teacher

Instructional Protocols

Rituals

Outdoor Learning Environment

QUICK LINKS

RENAISSANCE CORE VALUES

THE PRIMACY OF SELF-DISCOVERY

Learning happens best with emotion, challenge and the requisite support. People discover their abilities, values, passions, and responsibilities in situations that offer adventure and the unexpected. At Renaissance, students undertake tasks that require perseverance, fitness, craftsmanship, imagination, self-discipline, and significant achievement. A teacher's primary task is to help students overcome their fears and discover THEY CAN DO MORE THAN THEY THINK THEY CAN.

ROLE OF THE TEACHER

“No significant learning can occur

without a significant relationship.”

- JAMES CORNER

RELATIONSHIP BUILDER

Building relationships between staff, staff and students, staff and parents and staff and community is core to Renaissance’s philosophy of teaching and learning. A quote by Dr. James Corner that graces our main hallway gives the purpose for this belief, “No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship.”

COMMUNICATOR

Teachers strive to form bridges between school and home. One way is to share the journey of discovery undertaken by students so parents can see how such a journey can be exciting and fulfilling. Teachers use a variety of formats - paper, email, instagram, blogs, websites; whatever best fits the needs of the teacher and the families they serve. At the beginning of the school year your student’s teacher will let you know the preferred method of communication.

LEADER & LEARNER

We are all leaders and learners at Renaissance. We respect, teach and learn from one another. Staff use their first names knowing that respect is earned through mutual acceptance, trust, and understanding. A title such as Ms., Mrs., or Mr. in front of a staff member’s first name is added to recognize their unique leadership role.

INSTRUCTIONAL PROTOCOLS

Instructional protocols are used by teachers at Renaissance to support the success and empowerment of our students, ensure every voice is heard while encouraging critical and creative thinking. Below is a sample of instructional protocols used by teachers at Renaissance.

ANCHOR CHARTS:

MAKING THINKING

VISIBLE

THUMB-O-METER

GUIDED

PRACTICE

PRAISE,

QUESTION,

SUGGESTION

SOCRATIC

SEMINAR

THINK-PAIR-SHARE

RENAISSANCE RITUALS

THE CIRCLE OF COURAGE

Based on the four universal growth needs of all children: belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity, the Circle of Courage is the North star that guides our journey of learning because we know children blossom when they feel safe, cared for, capable and that they matter.

MORE ABOUT THE CIRCLE OF COURAGE

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OUTDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

The Outdoor Learning Environment at Renaissance is an extension of our traditional playground, providing students with natural places for exploration, solace, and creative/unstructured play. OLE serves as an outdoor classroom, service learning site, and natural schoolyard.

We transform conventional thinking about outdoor environments and plan our outdoor learning environment as thoughtfully as we do our indoor learning environments.

The out-of-doors offers a large world for children. It can provide places for freedom, exploring and solace. Being in natural outdoor environments helps children thrive, not only physically but also socially, emotionally and intellectually.

Well-designed outdoor learning environments reduce stress, sharpen concentration and promote creative problem solving. We can nurture children’s enthusiasm for the out-of-doors and their commitment to protecting nature.

When planning our outdoor environment we consider:

Connecting children to nature
Caring for plants and creatures
Landscaping for adventure and drama
Creating places to feel powerful and competent

Designing cozy spaces and gathering places
Enhancing play with props and activities
Defining spaces for people and things