Daisy Ingraham Portrait of a Graduate

We created a large bulletin board in the main entry of our school, where we recognize specific examples of PoG Attributes in action. Students, as well as adults, add petals to large daisy flowers on the bulletin board that have specific actions that other students (or adults) have done that show examples of each attribute: critical problem solver; creative thinker; effective communicator; perseverant; socially aware; and responsible decision maker. We share some of these accomplishments with the entire school community through Kids’ News, morning announcements, and school assemblies.  We regularly communicate this amazing work of our students in weekly emails, conferences, parent meetings,  PTO Meetings and school assemblies.

In our daily classroom work, teachers highlight how we use our priority attributes and goals in our academic work to build student understanding and application of each PoG attribute and skill.  Examples of this classroom work at Daisy this year:

• Presentations, such as our State Fair, highlight the skills of "Effective Communicator and Creative Thinker."  Rubrics to score such presentations included these priority goals, which students can reflect on their learning, evaluate themselves and then compare their ratings with their teachers.
• Mastering fluency in mathematics and reading highlights key skills of “Perseverant,” where mastery doesn’t come quickly, but usually with much practice.
• Our reading and writing in persuasive essays allow students to develop their Critical Problem Solving, Creative Thinker, and Effective Communicator skills.
• Our work in the Arts, including Visual Arts and Performing Arts allow students to fully express their Creative Thinking skills.
• Every day interactions through the school day, including recess and lunch give students much practice in being “Socially Aware,” and a “Responsible Decision Maker.”  We frequently use problem-solving conferences and other restorative practices for students to navigate the waters of being a “Critical Problem Solver” and a “Creative Thinker.”