SLR Operational Definitions

Academic Excellence

All students will be equipped and empowered to meet the challenges of a dynamic global society in which they collaborate, contribute and flourish as critical thinkers, problem solvers and creative individuals committed to excellence.

All students will demonstrate these abilities through: Gathering Knowledge (Inquire; think critically; gather knowledge)

  • Formulating & refining questions.
  • Using a variety of resources.
  • Finding, evaluating, selecting information.
  • Making personal connections.
  • Mastering technology tools.

Creating Understanding (Apply knowledge; draw conclusions; create new understanding)

  • Applying critical-thinking skills (analysis, synthesis, evaluation, organization) to knowledge to construct new understandings.
  • Collaborating to solve problems.
  • Using technology tools to analyze and organize.

Communicating and Applying Learning (Communicate, use, and apply learning; practice ethical behaviors)

  • Sharing new understandings and reflect on the learning.
  • Creating products to communicate new understandings effectively.
  • Applying learning to new and/or real-life situations.
  • Practicing responsible & ethical behavior.

Spirituality

Students will exhibit understanding of Christianity by:

  • Describing and explaining the key principles of Christianity.
  • Connecting Christian terminology and symbols to key principles.
  • Making sense of the multiple ways the Bible is interpreted within the Christian community.
  • Comparing key concepts, teachings, practices and texts of Christianity.
  • Recognizing a connection between Christian principles and ethical conduct.

Students will exhibit understanding of other religions by:

  • Describing and explaining the key principles of other religions.
  • Connecting terminology and symbols from other religions to key principles from other religions.
  • Making sense of the multiple ways other sacred writings are interpreted.
  • Comparing key concepts, teachings, practices, and texts of other religions.
  • Recognizing connections between the principles of other religions and ethical conduct.

Students will demonstrate respect for Christianity and other religions by:

  • Respecting the religious rituals/spirituality of others.
  • Respecting the diverse religious and spiritual lives and traditions of others.

Students will demonstrate their personal spiritual identities by:

  • Engaging in dialogue about Christianity and other religious worldviews in daily life.
  • Identifying connections with their personal beliefs and others.
  • Reflecting upon their own spiritual identities.
  • Living out their worldviews in a variety of ways.

Character Development

Students will demonstrate caring and respect by:

  • Identifying others’ needs and looking for ways to help.
  • Fostering care and respect in the community.
  • Valuing the differences among people.
  • Exhibiting self-control.
  • Listening and interacting in an appropriate manner.
  • Being considerate of materials, facilities and resources.

Students will exhibit integrity by:

  • Demonstrating honesty and trustworthiness in relationships and academics.
  • Accepting responsibility for their own actions.

Students will display the courage to stand up for what is right by:

  • Identifying with a value system based on ethical principles.
  • Speaking or acting in accordance with their values.
  • Supporting others who speak or act with courage.

Self-Motivated Learning

Students demonstrate persistence and engagement by:

  • Recognizing their intellectual style, strengths and weaknesses.
  • Consistently applying different strategies to enhance interest until a goal is achieved.
  • Sustaining or increasing effort in the face of difficulty.
  • Actively seeking help when necessary.

Students exhibit risk-taking by:

  • Applying new strategies to different assignments and projects.
  • Seeking and engaging in challenging tasks that enhance learning.
  • Exploring new interests.

Students demonstrate application of a variety of learning and motivation strategies by:

  • Engaging in effective thinking about their own thinking (metacognition).
  • Knowing a variety of key learning and motivation strategies.
  • Appropriately applying a variety of learning and motivation strategies.
  • Respecting the diverse learning needs and styles of other students.

Students demonstrate control and regulation of their learning process by:

  • Accurately self-assessing on an on-going basis.
  • Continuously reflecting, setting, monitoring and revising goals.
  • Accepting feedback and criticism without defensiveness.
  • Adapting and adjusting learning and motivation strategies used to meet their needs.

Students enjoy the process of learning and what they are learning by:

  • Pursuing personal interests.
  • Taking learning risks when their interest is piqued.
  • Showing persistence in an area of passion.

Contributing to Society

Students will demonstrate appropriate interpersonal skills by:

  • Working well with others.
  • Respecting other points of view.
  • Accepting diversity.
  • Actively participating.
  • Listening and making connections with others.
  • Building cross cultural relationships.
  • Working with others to achieve goals.
  • Helping to resolve conflicts.

Students will make contributions by:

  • Identifying a need.
  • Voluntarily participating in service.
  • Contributing time, talent or money, often involving a personal sacrifice.
  • Appreciating the value of service.
  • Contributing to family, community and/or the world.
  • Following through on service commitments.
  • Reflecting on service experiences.
  • Studying in the classroom issues raised by their service experiences.

Students will exhibit global citizenship by:

  • Remaining conversant on current events.
  • Being aware of the impact of major global, social and environmental events.
  • Confronting discrimination and stereotypes.
  • Appreciating global diversity.
  • Developing a multi-cultural perspective.
  • Empathizing with those representing a minority position.

Chinese Culture

Students will demonstrate understanding of China in each of the following areas:

  • Social sciences (such as history, geography, politics and current events).
  • Philosophy and religion.
  • Language, literature and the arts.
  • Chinese society (such as traditions and lifestyles).

Students will appreciate/experience Chinese Culture by:

  • Making connections between personal experiences and aspects of Chinese Culture.
  • Being actively involved in a variety of Chinese cultural experiences.
  • Behaving in culturally appropriate ways.
  • Integrating with the people of Greater China and their communities.