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Routine #3 - Check-In Guide

Check-In Routine: Essential in Agile Classroom's Learning Sprint series, this routine is a quick 5-10 minute session for students, occurring several times within a Learning Sprint, to inspect and adjust their progress towards their learning goals. It encourages accountability, self-advocacy, and mutual support. Students regularly assess their progress, identify challenges, seek support, and modify learning plans.

The Check-In Routine Guide Includes:

โœ… Protocol Checklist: A comprehensive list of actionable steps and key considerations for seamlessly implementing the routine.

๐Ÿ•ต๏ธโ€โ™€๏ธ Coaching Forms: Tools for student self-assessment, peer feedback, and teacher observations, promoting continuous growth and accountability.

๐ŸŽฏ Rubrics for Evaluation: Single-point, multi-point, and student-friendly rubrics to provide structured, targeted feedback on student progress and skill development.

๐Ÿ“Š Scaffolded Check-Ins for Student Growth: A structured framework that guides students from teacher-led support to self-directed check-ins, fostering accountability and adaptability at every stage of learning.

๐Ÿ”— Standards-Aligned Activities: Exercises and activities aligned with ISTE and P21 standards to support essential skills like critical thinking, adaptability, and teamwork.

Agile Classroom Check-In infographic showing four questions students discuss: What was finished? What do we intend to finish? Are there any roadblocks? Is there anything requiring feedback? Includes illustrated students discussing goals, plans, and challenges.

Guiding Student Progress: The Four Key Questions

Facilitating Self-Direction and Teamwork Through Reflective Learning Questions

Throughout each learning cycle, typically in every class session, students engage in a reflective process to inspect and adapt their progress. To facilitate this, we recommend these four simple yet effective questions as a formative assessment tool.

Benefits of the Check-In Routine in Agile Classrooms

  • ๐Ÿ“ˆ Progress Monitoring: Students regularly assess and articulate their progress, enhancing awareness of their Learning Sprint journey.

  • ๐Ÿšง Obstacle Identification: They become adept at recognizing and communicating challenges, fostering problem-solving skills.

  • ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Advocating for Support: Encourages students to confidently express their need for help, strengthening their self-advocacy abilities.

  • โœ… Peer and Self-Accountability: Cultivates a sense of responsibility towards individual and group learning objectives.

  • ๐Ÿค Peer Support: Promotes a supportive learning atmosphere by encouraging students to assist and collaborate with each other.

  • ๐Ÿ” Adaptive Learning Strategy: Enables students to dynamically adjust their learning plans, promoting a flexible and responsive approach.

Standards Met With This Routine

Skills Are Taught Not Caught

Adopting the Check-In routine transcends traditional subject boundaries, allowing teachers to embed critical 21st-century skills in their everyday teaching. This method guarantees that, regardless of the subject, students are consistently developing skills crucial for their future. It's an effective way of 'catching' skills through practice, aligning teaching with both P21 and ISTE standards, and preparing students for a rapidly evolving world.


ISTE STANDARDS

๐ŸŒŸ (1.1) Empowered Learner
By actively monitoring and adapting their learning goals during Check-Ins, students demonstrate empowered learning behaviors.

๐ŸŒ (1.2) Digital Citizen
If digital tools like the Learning Canvas are used in Check-Ins, students enhance their digital citizenship skills.

๐Ÿ’ก (1.4) Innovative Designer
Solving problems like addressing roadblocks and adapting learning plans during Check-Ins aligns with innovative design skills.

๐Ÿง  (1.5) Computational Thinker
Students apply computational thinking by reflecting on progress and planning future actions in Check-Ins.

๐ŸŽจ (1.6) Creative Communicator
Sharing updates and seeking feedback during Check-Ins, especially using digital platforms, fosters creative communication skills.

๐ŸŒ (1.7) Global Collaborator
The collaborative nature of Check-Ins, where students support and work with each other, aligns with being a global collaborator.

PARTNERSHIP FOR 21ST CENTURY SKILLS

๐Ÿค” Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Students engage in identifying challenges and roadblocks, and strategizing how to overcome them, enhancing their problem-solving skills.

๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Communication: The routine necessitates clear and effective communication, as students articulate their progress, needs, and challenges.

๐Ÿค Collaboration: Check-In promotes teamwork, with students working together to support each otherโ€™s learning goals and collaboratively address any issues.

๐Ÿ’ก Creativity and Innovation: As students discuss their progress and plan for upcoming tasks, they are encouraged to think creatively and innovatively about how to accomplish their goals.

๐ŸŒŸ Flexibility and Adaptability: Adapting plans based on progress and roadblocks requires students to be flexible and adaptable in their approach to learning.

๐Ÿ”„ Initiative and Self-Direction: The routine fosters self-directed learning, with students taking initiative in monitoring their work and setting goals.

๐Ÿ‘ฅ Social and Cross-Cultural Skills: By engaging in group discussions and collaborative problem-solving, students enhance their social and cross-cultural competencies.

๐Ÿ“š Information Literacy: Students develop information literacy by organizing, analyzing, and synthesizing information related to their learning tasks and progress.

๐ŸŒ ICT (Information, Communications, and Technology) Literacy: If technology is used in the process, students also improve their ICT literacy skills.
By practicing the Check-In Routine, educators effortlessly align their teaching with key ISTE Standards, nurturing critical 21st-century skills in students. It's an efficient and impactful method to infuse everyday learning with the skills necessary for success in a rapidly evolving world.

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