Thursday, December 1, 2016

And Our Project-Based Learning Journey Begins!

"Spurgeon Intermediate is a school that focuses on PBL (Project-Based Learning) with a Flex Learning Environment"



In the future when we look back on this time we will reflect on how it all began with 8 teachers, 2 counselors, 3 administrators, 2 district specialist, and a vision; a vision of a school that excels in the 4 C’s (critical thinking, communication, creativity, collaboration). This group of visionaries call themselves “The Spurgeon Factor”. The plan of the Spurgeon Factor is to take 21st Century Skills to a new level and beyond!


                         

Photos of just some of the Spurgeon Factor members!

When did it begin?...

It all began in the Spring of 2014 when principal Todd Irving, asked if there were any staff members who would like to take part in an opportunity to do “something big” at Spurgeon.  Not knowing what this “something big” was, a number of staff stepped forward with faith and a desire for transformation.

Fast-forward to Summer of 2014…

Mr. Irving, informed district officials of his vision to create a college driven community of learners at Spurgeon. In order to achieve this goal he was promoting AVID strategies, lesson design and Full Circle Learning. After Spurgeon’s newly renovated computer lab and collaboration space, appropriately named “C-Quad” by Spurgeon students, was completed, Mr. Irving decided that it was time to add two more ingredients to Spurgeon’s recipe for success. The final ingredients are Project-Based Learning and a Flexible Learning Environment.



Vision: “Spurgeon Intermediate is a school that focuses on PBL (Project-Based Learning) with a Flex Learning Environment”


The goal of this blog is to document year one of our journey. The reader will be able to follow our journey from creating our PBL/Flexible Learning environment vision statement, to the end of year one of induction.

We hope that you gain something from our challenges and successes.

Please feel free to provide us with feedback!

Let the fun begin!