The 7 Competencies of the 21st Century Learner
Communication
Collaboration and leadership
Lifelong Learning, self direction, and personal management
Digital Literacy
Social responsibility and cultural, global, & environmental awareness
Critical thinking and problem solving
Creativity and innovation
Floating topic
Parent relationships
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Open and Consistent Communication
Send a monthly email or a newsletter updating parents on what their child is learning and any important dates to remember.
Encourage parents to share any concerns, questions, or updates about their child’s home life that may impact their learning
Create a Positive and Welcoming Environment
Create an open-door policy, where parents feel comfortable approaching you with questions or concerns. Let them know that their input is always welcomed and valued
Work Together to Support the Child's Learning and Well-being
Establish clear academic and behavioral goals for the student with both the teacher and parents working together to support the child in achieving them
Respect Cultural and Individual Differences
Recognize and respect cultural differences in parenting styles, family dynamics, and educational values. Show understanding and offer flexible solutions to accommodate diverse family structures
Be Transparent and Honest
If a student is struggling, address it early with the parent and work together to find solutions
Clear Academic Expectations
Set high but achievable academic standards
Use rubrics and grading systems so students understand how their work will be evaluated
Help students set personal learning goals
completing homework on time, participating in class discussions, striving for improvement
Set clear, specific expectations for behavior
Respecting others, raising hands before speaking, being on time
Modeling Behavior
Positive Reinforcement
Classroom Rules Poster
“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.”
“Trust is the foundation of any relationship, and it is built over time through consistent actions, not just words.”
“The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships.” — Tony Robbins
“People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.” — Theodore Roosevelt
“The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.” — Ernest Hemingway
“A relationship is not based on the length of time you’ve known someone, but on the connection you’ve made.”
Foster Respect and Empathy
Incorporate inclusive language and be proactive in addressing biases or prejudices when they arise.
Use activities or discussions that teach empathy and allow students to understand the perspectives of others.
Model and reinforce respectful language and behavior.
Activity Breaks
Improves Focus and Concentration
Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, which helps improve cognitive function
Boosts Energy Levels
A quick burst of movement can refresh students, boosting their energy levels
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Physical activity releases endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that act as natural mood elevators
Enhances Social Interaction
Students learn how to interact with one another in a positive, non-academic context
Improves Physical Health
Physical activity breaks contribute to developing healthy habits that can last a lifetime
Supports Emotional Regulation
It provides an outlet for excess energy or frustration and can help children calm down during stressful situations
Encourages Brain Development
Physical activity promotes the development of motor skills, coordination, and physical literacy
Improves Behavior
By allowing students to release pent-up energy, they are often less likely to become fidgety, restless, or disruptive
How to Reflect
Model Reflection
Demonstrate your own reflection process. Talk aloud about how you assess your own work or learning experiences.
Exit Slips
At the end of a lesson or activity, ask students to take a few minutes to write a short response on what they learned, what they found difficult, and what they would like more practice with.
Peer Reflection
Pair students up to discuss their work with a peer. Encourage them to give constructive feedback and share what they’ve learned.
Self-Assessment Checklists
Provide students with a checklist or rubric that outlines key components of their work. Ask them to assess their own performance based on these criteria before submitting or presenting their work.
Reflection Journals
Have students keep a journal where they regularly reflect on their work. They can write about what went well, what they learned, and what areas they could improve.
Guiding Questions
Use open-ended questions to prompt students to think about their learning process and outcomes.
Compliment Sandwich
End with Another Compliment or Encouraging Statement
Finish by reinforcing something positive about their effort or behavior, showing confidence in their ability to improve
You're doing a great job overall, and I know with a bit more practice, you'll get even better at it. Keep up the great work!
Introduce the Area for Improvement
Next, offer constructive feedback in a gentle, supportive way. Focus on what they can do to improve, and be specific
One thing I think could help is to slow down a little more when reading the instructions. That way, you'll be even more accurate in your answers.
Start with a Positive Compliment
Begin with something genuine and specific that the child has done well. This helps them feel acknowledged and valued
I really like how you worked hard on your math problems today. You did a great job staying focused.
Achievements Attainable but Challenging
Break larger goals into smaller, manageable steps to keep students motivated and provide a sense of accomplishment along the way
Reflection and Feedback
After achieving a goal, encourage students to reflect on how they did it. Provide feedback on what students did well and where they can improve.
What would they do different next time?
This was awesome, do you think doing it this way would work better? That part was really great!!
What worked well?
Creating a Community of Learners
Fostering Strong Relationships
Build Trust with Students
Take time to get to know your students personally and show genuine interest in their lives.
Use icebreaker activities, one-on-one check-ins, or “student of the week” programs to connect with them on a deeper level
Encourage Open Communication
Create a space where students feel safe to express their thoughts and feelings. Establish open communication through activities like "class meetings"
Show Consistency and Fairness
Be predictable and fair in your responses. When students know they can rely on you to be consistent in expectations, they’re more likely to feel secure and respected.
Ensure that classroom rules, expectations, and consequences are clearly communicated and consistently enforced.
Engaging Learning Environment
Keep Lessons Varied and Dynamic
Mix up teaching methods to maintain engagement.
Keep the content fresh and interactive to prevent boredom and disengagement
This could involve alternating between lectures, group work, videos, games, and independent research
Incorporate Technology and Multimedia
Use technology in fun, meaningful ways
such as educational apps, interactive whiteboards, or multimedia presentations
, these are things that can capture students interest and enhance their learning experience.
Use Active Learning Techniques
Engage students in hands-on, interactive activities that require them to think critically and collaborate.
This could include group projects, debates, role-playing, or problem-solving tasks where students actively participate and apply what they are learning.
Positive Teaching Strategies
Reinforce Positive Behavior
Use praise, rewards, and recognition to encourage positive behavior and academic achievement
Focus on Growth Mindset
Teach and reinforce the idea that intelligence and abilities grow with effort and practice.
Use Clear and Consistent Feedback
Provide timely and constructive feedback that guides students in their learning journey
Classroom Management
Active Engagement
Attention management strategies
Varied Instructional Methods, Change up the delivery of lessons by incorporating multimedia, storytelling, or student-led discussions to maintain interest.
Movement Breaks, Incorporate short physical activity breaks to help students refocus, especially during long lessons or after intense periods of sitting.
Personalized Check-ins, Occasionally check in with students individually to make sure they’re on track, which keeps them accountable and focused.
Interactive Lessons, Use activities that require students to actively participate to keep them engaged.
Redirection, When attention drifts, gently redirect students back to the task with specific reminders, such as asking them a question related to the lesson.
Clear Expectations and Routines, Establish clear instructions and predictable routines so students know what to expect and can focus better.
Minimize Distractions: Arrange the classroom to minimize distractions (e.g., limit extraneous materials, seating arrangements that reduce off-task behavior).
Positive Reinforcement, Acknowledge when students are staying on task and focus on rewarding the behaviours you want to encourage
Task Chunking, Break assignments into smaller, manageable parts to prevent students from becoming overwhelmed and losing focus.
Use of Visual and Auditory Cues, Incorporate signals like hand raises, clapping patterns, or a bell to grab students’ attention and signal transitions.
Interactive activities
Jigsaw Activity
Students in small groups, study a material or topic. After the groups learn their section, they come together with members from other groups to share what they've learned, teaching one another.
This promotes collaboration, student responsibility, and deeper understanding of the topic.
Student involvement in class discussions
Encourage Peer Interaction
Incorporate activities like think-pair-share or small group discussions before bringing the conversation to the larger class. This allows students to formulate their thoughts in a smaller, less intimidating setting, increasing their confidence in contributing to the whole class discussion.
Use Open-Ended Questions
Ask questions that stimulate critical thinking and invite multiple perspectives. Open-ended questions to give students the opportunity to engage more deeply and encourage discussion.
Create a Safe and Respectful Environment
Foster an atmosphere where students feel comfortable sharing their ideas without fear of judgment. Set clear expectations for respectful listening and encourage all contributions, ensuring that every student feels valued.
Positive Reinforcements
Creating a reward systems
Celebrating achievements
Acknowledging effort and progress
Create a Growth-Focused Environment
Incorporate Reflection
Share Achievements Publicly
Celebrate Small Wins
Provide Specific Praise
Clear Expectations
Review Expectations Regularly
Go over classroom expectations periodically, especially at the start of each new term or after breaks.
Reinforce Expectations Consistently
Regularly acknowledge when students meet expectations through positive reinforcement
Model Expected Behavior
Demonstrate the behaviors you expect.
Create Visual Aids
Post the expectations around the classroom in visible areas.
Be Specific and Simple
Clearly define what you expect in terms of behavior, tasks, and responsibilities.
Collaborate with Students
Discuss the importance of rules and ask for their input on what behaviors should be prioritized in the classroom.
Inclusive Environments
Celebrate Diversity
Acknowledge and celebrate differences in culture, backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles
"Cultural Days," or "Learning About Us" activities
Provide Differentiated Support
Offer a variety of teaching materials, such as visual aids, hands-on activities, or audio recordings
different ways to demonstrate understanding, such as through projects, presentations, or written work
