Our goal is to ignite the full potential of every student. To do so, we focus on increasing the depth and velocity of learning, as measured individually for each child.
Teaching Protocols
Teaching protocols include Understanding by Design, a framework for designing curriculum units, performance assessments, and instruction that lead students to deep understanding of the content taught. UbD expands on six facets of understanding, including being able to explain, interpret, apply, have perspective, empathize, and have self-knowledge about a given topic. UbD encourages higher-order thinking, the asking of essential questions, and an enduring understanding.
Differentiated Instruction
With differentiated instruction we can respond to the needs of every student. Our Balanced Literacy Program guides each child to learn to read and write effectively and reach his/her fullest potential. We also have a Learning Center that works with children with special needs.
Critical-Thinking, Problem-Solving, Higher-Order Reasoning Skills
These key life skills are taught in every Meritas school. It is not what we teach but how we teach that builds these skills.
Standards-Based Curriculum
Setting standards is an important and effective teaching tool because they express clear expectations of what all students should know and be able to do. Standards help teachers design curriculum and assessment on the basis of what is most important to learn.
Measured Writing Mastery
Our students write every day in English and in Spanish. We use ERB’s WrAP (Writing Assessment Program) to evaluate and track the development of their writing skills in English.
Measured Learning Velocity
Through the use of standardized tests in Spanish (Enlace) and English (Measures of Academic Progress and Writing Aptitude Test) we measure each student’s academic achievement and growth. The Enlace tests help us compare individual student’s achievement against other students in Mexico. MAP tests help us compare the individual student’s progress against the progress made by students in other parts of the the world.
Personalized Learning Plans and Student Portfolios
Every student works hand-in-hand with his or her teacher to develop a Personal Learning Plan. The PLP is a goal-setting process that engages students in their own development and encourages them to take ownership of their decisions and actions. A portfolio containing student work and assessments is kept for every individual student.
Touchpoints
Touchpoints is a project that uses wikis and videoconference equipment to bring Meritas students from around the world together to think critically, solve pressing global problems, and engage in higher-order reasoning.
Student-Led Parent-Teacher Conferences
Consistent feedback and collaboration with parents is of the utmost importance. Our teachers are trained to identify and diagnose each student's academic challenges and to set goals that address areas in need of improvement. The student, the teacher, and the parents meet in a student-led conference twice a year to create a strategy for reaching those goals and review progress.
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