Tim W Petrash

January 4, 2016

Collaborative and interdependent activities, effective teaching and learning occur in spaces that prioritize children's social and emotional needs while promoting and respecting diversity. More than a representation of an end product, learning is a product of realized outcomes gained by opening access points, developing connections, building community and embracing the learning process. This may be accomplished through the 3 Block Model of Universal design for learning (UDL).

Learning should be fun, rigorous, academically challenging, and accessible. Individual and collaborative work gives students ownership and promotes promotes active, purposeful learning. Formative, ongoing assessment highlights successes and identifies areas requiring attention and adaptation to meet a student's learning needs.

A gradual release of responsibility allows the transfer of learning ownership to the child, guiding them towards independence and becoming engaged Canadians with a global outlook.