To ensure students are ready and engaged for these sessions, we implement our
community's co-constructed guidelines. Known as the "givens," these
nonnegotiable expectations serve as the foundation for our interactions and
learning during sessions. Cocreating presenter-specific "givens" with my classes
has proven invaluable. These guidelines encompass skills such as asking
questions, showing gratitude, engaging in active listening, and maintaining a
growth mindset. Before each Connected North session, we review these "givens"
and discuss examples of how we can apply them. We also explore available
supports for students who may find aspects of the session challenging. Following
the session, we engage in reflective discussions, gathering feedback and
evaluating how well we followed our "givens" during the session.
C o n n e c t e d N o r t h i n O u r C l a s s r o o m
Nicole Birkeland - Connected North in Our Classroom
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