<\/p>\n
The Southwest Open School opened its doors at a Gallery Day on Sept. 7, giving students a chance to demonstrate what they are learning to teachers, parents and peers.<\/p>\n
These events are important to SWOS teaching approach, according to school Director Charlotte Wolf<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a way to honor and celebrate each other\u2019s achievements because that is also important when we are young, to be recognized for what you have achieved,\u201d Wolf said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is really our philosophy, in a way.\u201d<\/p>\n
For students starting at SWOS, Gallery Day was special. Students graduating from the SWOS-ology course were given their certifications onstage after describing what they had learned for the crowd.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery new student and staff have to do a SWOS-ology class, the study of SWOS,\u201d Wolf said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey learn about effective communication, conflict resolution, relationships, trust building and working with your brain so that you will know how to manage your moods.\u201d<\/p>\n
The students graduating from SWOS-ology have gained a better understanding of emotional intelligence and what is important, according to Wolf.<\/p>\n
Students at the gallery were given the opportunity to show what they had learned through a portfolio-style presentation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe call this a gallery, and we have a couple of learning units among the classes and then semester-long classes,\u201d Wolf said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter each one of those, we do a gallery, which is a portfolio approach. The kids assemble a portfolio where they design the project and have a lot of input in how they frame it.\u201d<\/p>\n
This process is important because the students must put what they have learned to the test of parents and peers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey answer questions and learning outcomes, and then they will present either to a class or in such a format to the parents in a bigger format (like a gallery),\u201d Wolf said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a lot of emphasis on critical thinking skills and on pushing your boundaries and is very important in the physical, mental and emotional sense.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wolf admits that the process is not \u201cfail-safe,\u201d but she believes they are focused on the right things.<\/p>\n
SWOS also announced that with an enrollment of 136 students, it\u2019s close to its goal of 144 students.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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