Protocol Overview and Instructions: 
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​​The Ottawa Area Intermediate School District’s (OAISD) futurePREP Program is the strategic implementation of our community’s
vision that all students need (1) to graduate with two “transcripts” . . . academic skills and career readiness skills . . . and (2) a system
for measuring their progress toward those goals, and (3) robust opportunities to attain them.

Skills for Success Protocol Instructions

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​Educator Thoughts:
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In attempt to build students’ ability to use “courteous listening skills and value[s] other’s opinions,” I had students observe data collected in a lab experiment.  Rolling a die selected which member of each group would present their results.  Then, rolling the die again, I randomly picked a member of the next group to paraphrase the claim made by the first group.  This led to a discussion of how accurately they represented the claim and how well they listened for details.

I was surprised at how hard it was for kids to paraphrase.  I was also very pleased with how this led to good discussion about “what we really meant.”  At times, kids struggled to paraphrase the claim because the group making the claim had made one that didn’t fit their own data.  Groups trying to paraphrase were so distracted by the problem with the claim that they couldn’t make themselves repeat it.  Overall, a very good process for discussing scientific research.

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Student Quote:
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"This is really hard!  I listened to what they said, but I don’t know how to say it differently."

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Meet the Educator:

Amy is an educator at West Ottawa Public Schools. She teaches 4th grade at Lakewood Elementary. Along with teaching 4th grade, she is a leader in the futurePREP'd Alumni Connect Cohorts and she is piloting the new Elementary Academy Program that is partnered with the Michigan Design Council.  

     "Integrating curriculum through PBL experiences has sparked a passion for authentic, real world problem solving in my students. My 4th graders are more actively engaged and enthusiastic about the learning process since I began using the Creative Sequence and Design Thinking protocols. They are gaining empathy for those around them and building employability skills along the way. It is thrilling to witness their excitement!"  ​   ​