Central York High School Apollo program inspires students - York Daily Record
What is Apollo?
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In ancient mythology, Apollo was the god of, well, almost everything: music, poetry, medicine, art, knowledge, sun and light, and more. In a more contemporary sense, it speaks to NASA's lunar missions.
We chose the name "Apollo" to convey the multifaceted elements of this course. At its core, Apollo infuses language arts, social studies, and art. But there's also a lot more involved, including higher order thinking skills, independent learning and accountability, along with other advantages often not found in a traditional classroom. |
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Goals
Imagine this:
You walk into school on a Monday morning and report to your first class, Apollo. During a "family meeting" with your three learning coaches and classmates, you discuss the week's plan and sign up for the lessons you'd like to attend Monday through Friday. The lessons you choose are based on your current projects, independent and group.
After you sign up for the lessons, your work day begins. You may work in the library, the student work areas, classrooms, etc. when you're not attending a lesson. Of course, you may reach out to your three learning coaches at any time for one-on-one support, and, at designated times, you will meet with them to discuss your progress.
You walk into school on a Monday morning and report to your first class, Apollo. During a "family meeting" with your three learning coaches and classmates, you discuss the week's plan and sign up for the lessons you'd like to attend Monday through Friday. The lessons you choose are based on your current projects, independent and group.
After you sign up for the lessons, your work day begins. You may work in the library, the student work areas, classrooms, etc. when you're not attending a lesson. Of course, you may reach out to your three learning coaches at any time for one-on-one support, and, at designated times, you will meet with them to discuss your progress.
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Upon completing each project, you will prepare a presentation for the learning coaches and, likely, a panel of others. During the presentation, you will reveal what you've learned and what you've created in the process.
Think big and think layers. Each of your projects will contain multiple pieces and span across all three areas of study: language arts, social studies, and art. After you receive your grade, you will be offered to make adjustments to improve your score, or you may choose to move onto your next project. |
SKILLS
Skills are the core of Apollo. A combination of Marzano's Essential Instructional Strategies and the CollegeBoard's Thinking Skills, Apollo addresses 4 thinking skills and 2 soft skills every learner needs to demonstrate in each of the content areas. These skills also serve as the core to the 4 individual projects students will complete.
Students will align three thinking skills to each of the projects as well as two soft skills. The soft skills round out the learning experience by requiring students to demonstrate their ability to care for others, communicate effectively, or make calculated decisions.
Students will align three thinking skills to each of the projects as well as two soft skills. The soft skills round out the learning experience by requiring students to demonstrate their ability to care for others, communicate effectively, or make calculated decisions.
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Assessments
Skills are the core of Apollo. A combination of Marzano's Essential Instructional Strategies and the CollegeBoard's Thinking Skills, Apollo addresses 4 thinking skills and 2 soft skills every learner needs to demonstrate in each of the content areas. These skills also serve as the core to the 4 individual projects students will complete. Students will align three thinking skills to each of the projects as well as two soft skills. The soft skills round out the learning experience by requiring students to demonstrate their ability to care for others, communicate effectively, or make calculated decisions.
Standards
Despite the large degree of student autonomy, this course is grounded in Common Core and National Art standards. Approaching learning through different means does not excuse Apollo students from meeting the same expectations as traditional students. On the other hand, it adds a more genuine, authentic element to their learning. Students are asked to identify the standards they'll attack in each project. Through mini lessons and one-on-one sessions, the facilitators will assist students in linking their projects to these standards (and skills).
