Welcome to the Nipmuc Portrait of a Learner Scholars Program!
The PoL Scholars began in the fall of 2018 as a group of 32 students across all grades developed digital profiles that celebrated their curiosities, interests, and unique stories of learning. As part of the process, our PoL Scholars became experts on our Portrait of a Learner and connected their life experiences to the six competencies that drive our district's work and learning.
As we welcome a new “class” of PoL Scholars, we are excited to:
As we begin our journey, we will explore the Portrait of a Learner, define what we mean by “success, and delve into the experiences that shape our personal narratives. This workshop will provide the foundation for our journey together as Nipmuc PoL Scholars.
As we welcome a new “class” of PoL Scholars, we are excited to:
- Highlight students and share their powerful stories of learning.
- Support students in developing, sharing, and celebrating their personal stories of success and learning.
- Increase the understanding of and excitement for our school’s efforts to bring the district’s vision to life.
As we begin our journey, we will explore the Portrait of a Learner, define what we mean by “success, and delve into the experiences that shape our personal narratives. This workshop will provide the foundation for our journey together as Nipmuc PoL Scholars.
A School on a Mission!
It’s exciting to be part of a school community that knows who we are and what we aspire to be. Over the course of the past three years, our school, district, and community have collaboratively developed an aspirational vision for the future of learning at Nipmuc.
In our foundational beliefs you’ll find: |
As we review some of the key aspects of our district's guiding documents, find a word or phrase from the pictures below that stands out to you and put it in the Zoom chat. Feel free to respond to others' ideas. |
- A mission - “We empower all learners to thrive” - that commits us to supporting personal and powerful stories of success and learning for all students.
- A vision that encourages us to break free from past practice to make school inspiring places of learning.
- Belief statements that describe the conditions under which learning takes place most powerfully and deeply.
- A Portrait of Learner that outlines the skills, knowledge, and dispositions needed to be successful in the world beyond our campus.
While the PoL Scholar Program is connected to all aspects of our mission, vision, and beliefs - the Portrait of the Learner is at the center of our work. The Portrait of a Learner answers the question, “What are the skills necessary for success for all students in this rapidly changing, increasingly diverse, and interconnected world?”
Through the PoL, MURSD has identified six skills that are critical for success including being: a global citizen, a mindful learner, an effective communicator, a skillful collaborator, an inspired innovator, and a solution seeker.
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Defining Success
Now that you’ve been introduced to the Portrait of a Learner, let’s turn our attention to what we mean when we use the word “success”. Think of the people who you consider to be successful. Consider your role models, people who inspire you, and those who possess the qualities you hope to demonstrate in your own life.
In a moment we will move you to break-out rooms. When in the room, take one minute to share that person’s story of success. What led to them being successful? What does success mean to you? Be sure to leave enough time for each person in your group to share their story.
In a moment we will move you to break-out rooms. When in the room, take one minute to share that person’s story of success. What led to them being successful? What does success mean to you? Be sure to leave enough time for each person in your group to share their story.
Share a person’s story of success. What led to them being successful? What does success mean to you?
As we return from the breakout room discussions, think about the powerful success stories that you just shared or learned about. Now, think about what words come to mind when you consider the stories of success you shared or were told by others. Add those words or phrases to the poll below. Then watch everyone’s responses to see the types of themes that emerge.
Review the answers above and consider the themes that emerge from everyone’s answers. How many of the success stories shared today included challenges, struggles, or moments of failure? What were the milestones or achievements that are shared by the people we highlighted? How did it feel to tell this “success story” to another person? What types of stories did we not hear today?
Connecting Success to the Portrait of a Learner
A moment ago, we had the opportunity to hear many different stories of success. While these stories are impressive, memorable, and inspiring - it’s important to note that they did not happen by accident. Each of the people we discussed has skills, knowledge, and dispositions that they put to work in order to become a success story. At Nipmuc, we identify these skills as “The Portrait of a Learner”.
In our next activity, we will work in small groups in order to become experts of the PoL. Each group will be assigned to do a deep dive into one competency of the PoL. Once in your breakout rooms, take the following steps:
As you discuss, be sure to capture your ideas on your group’s slide. Click the button below and find your group’s slide in order to share your thoughts from the breakout room. We will conduct a brief “share-out” when we return from the breakout room discussions.
In our next activity, we will work in small groups in order to become experts of the PoL. Each group will be assigned to do a deep dive into one competency of the PoL. Once in your breakout rooms, take the following steps:
- Read through the “I can” statements for your assigned competency.
- Discuss why this skill is important.
- Make a list of careers that might require this skill.
As you discuss, be sure to capture your ideas on your group’s slide. Click the button below and find your group’s slide in order to share your thoughts from the breakout room. We will conduct a brief “share-out” when we return from the breakout room discussions.
Welcome back to the full-group session. As we listen to our groups describe the Portrait of a Learner competencies, think back to the success stories that you shared at the beginning of this session. Consider the “I can” statements that most connect with the success story you told.
Developing the PoL Skills
Like anything worth knowing and doing - the Portrait of a Learner skills need to be practiced. Throughout our life - in and out of school - we all have life experiences that help us to develop these skills.
Using the poll below, brainstorm a list of experiences that you’ve had that have helped you to develop the Portrait of a Learner skills. Remember that - as Nipmuc’s definition of learning states - “Learning can occur throughout all the minutes and moments of our lives. Learning is not limited to the school day or year.” Think of all of your life experiences and share some of the times you’ve practiced the PoL skills.
Using the poll below, brainstorm a list of experiences that you’ve had that have helped you to develop the Portrait of a Learner skills. Remember that - as Nipmuc’s definition of learning states - “Learning can occur throughout all the minutes and moments of our lives. Learning is not limited to the school day or year.” Think of all of your life experiences and share some of the times you’ve practiced the PoL skills.
Now that we have brainstormed a list of the types of learning experiences that lead to the development of the PoL skills, take a minute to think about your own learning journey. What have been some of your most powerful learning moments? Which competency do you most identify with? Why?
Take a few minutes to review all of the "I can..." statements one more time. Choose one "I can..." statement that resonates with you. What learning experience or powerful learning moment most closely relates to your development of this skill? Add your thoughts to the Google Sheet below as we will come back to these ideas when we build our scholar profiles in the 3rd workshop.
Take a few minutes to review all of the "I can..." statements one more time. Choose one "I can..." statement that resonates with you. What learning experience or powerful learning moment most closely relates to your development of this skill? Add your thoughts to the Google Sheet below as we will come back to these ideas when we build our scholar profiles in the 3rd workshop.
Pre-Work for March 3 @ 12pm
In preparation for our next workshop on Wednesday, March 3 from 12-1pm, we ask that you complete the StrengthsExplorer in Naviance if you have not already done so. This quick survey will assess 10 talent themes (natural patterns of thoughts, feeling, and behavior) and identify each individual's top three emerging talents. Following the survey, you will instantly receive results which will include explanations of these top themes, strategies for capitalizing on each, and action items to help you gain insight into your greatest talents to leverage in the classroom and in life.
To access the survey, following the steps below.
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