Finding Success through SOAR Expectations
Using SOAR Everyday!
I continuously refer back to the SOAR expectations in a variety of ways. Several ways are, I remind students of the expectations before photographing in various locations (see graphic) and I have a section in my daily Google Slides called the, “SOAR Spotlight” where we read one or two expectations that either need to be revisited for understanding or that will need to be used in a particular upcoming situation. The newest way I have incorporated the SOAR expectations is through peer review and reflection. I ask students how they feel other members of their group, or how well other groups, are respecting our class SOAR. I ask if there any specific issues that I am not aware of or areas of student concern that may be negatively affecting them.
Here is the process of how the expectations were created:
Classroom discussion regarding the need for new expectations.
Create class expectations as a group
Observations as students respond to the expectations.
Classroom management will become easier to control and students will have a guide to model.
How can I create a classroom culture that promotes and reinforces positive behaviors and eliminates most disruptive behavior?
After 8 weeks of school my class would be receiving 10 desktop computers, 19 digital cameras, 45 SD cards, 10 card readers, and other various photography equipment. I was in need of a way to organize and store this equipment, help student understand the importance of respecting the privileges given within this class, and also hold students accountable. While working on Inquiry 2, I decided that students would help create this culture within the class. I dedicated a day of learning as I worked with each period. We explored our beliefs as to what are the most important factors in maintaining safety of students and equipment. As the students came to together for the good of each other and the technology, they were able to agree on the, SOAR: In the Digital Photography Classroom, we use today.
This is the graphic I use when reminding students of the SOAR expectations they need to display when leaving the classroom to take photos around campus.
Student Success in Understanding and Expressing the SOAR Expectations
At the second part of the year, and after the students had become advocates for the SOAR expectations, they were asked to show what they know.
The photos on the left are examples of student success. The assessment asked students to use the class SOAR expectations to create memes to share with peers. They were able to express their understanding of the expectation in a way that is most relevant and engaging to other students.
