What Works
Together, research, practice, local needs assessments, and a commitment to collaboration create a roadmap for what works to educate the whole child. Use this section to get the resources you need to identify and address challenges in educating the whole child such as bullying and implement evidence-based practices such as arts integration. Explore each topic to get free resources from experts and practitioners committed to building your capacity to educate the whole child. Come back each month as we focus on a new topic of critical importance to educating the whole child.
Topic of the Month
Engaging Learning Strategies
Learning is active, engaging, and social. Students need to be engaged and motivated in their learning before they can apply higher order, creative thinking skills. They are most engaged when they themselves are part of constructing meaning, not when teachers do it for them. By encouraging students to meet challenges creatively, collaborate, and apply critical thinking skills to real-world, unpredictable situations inside and outside of school, we prepare them for future college, career, and citizenship success.
Effective classroom instruction that embraces both high standards and accountability for students' learning can be project-based, focused on service and the community, experiential, cooperative, expeditionary ... the list goes on. These engaging learning strategies are grounded in instructional objectives, provide clear feedback, and enable students to thrive cognitively, socially, emotionally, and civically.
Whole Child Examples
High School Example
School Staff Works Tirelessly to Improve their Students
Milwaukie High School's staff works tirelessly to improve their students’ academic, social, and emotional growth; to expand their educational practices; and sharpen the administration’s focus on staff professional development.
Recent Examples
High School Example
Award Winning School is Committed to Helping its Students Achieve
Elementary Example
Rural School Uses the Arts to Challenge Students
Elementary Example
Suburban School Provides a Safe Environment for its Students and Staff
Elementary Example
Suburban School and Community Encourages Students to Live Healthy Lives
Elementary Example
Recent Topics
New Resources
Implementing the Common Core State Standards: The Role of the Secondary School Leader Action Brief
Implementing the Common Core State Standards: The Role of the Elementary School Leader Action Brief
Implementing the Common Core State Standards: The Role of the School Counselor Action Brief
Start School with Breakfast: A Guide to Increasing School Breakfast Participation
