Marcy Open is committed to Open Education.  To see how the Foundations of Open are used in all-school activities, please click here.  Please note that in listing the examples below, we don't mean they are the only way the Foundaitons are present.  The examples are only here to help you understand the Foundation principles better.

1. Interdisciplinary Learning is used to encourage student engagement and complex thinking.

·      This is when a single subject is used to practice skills from more than one academic subject.

In Third & Fourth Grade classrooms you will find:

• Literacy is integrated with Social Studies and Science.
• Children's Theater Arts Residency is integrated with Social Studies.

2.  Student-Centered Classrooms include opportunities for students to:

·      make choices 

·      be involved in decision making

·      work independently 

·      and in cooperative groups

·      assess their own learning

In Third & Fourth Grade Classrooms you will find:

• Responsive Classroom is used to build community.
• Rubrics are used for assessment of learning, and to allow students to assess their own work.
• Students create rules for the classroom by building on their Hopes and Dreams for the year.

3.  Grouping of students may change based on the subject, the skill that is being practiced or the activity.  Flexible groups can increase student challenge and allow students the chance to learn from each other.

In Third & Fourth Grade classrooms you will find:

• Pre-assessment and formative assessments will be used to determine grouping of students.
• Students will work in pairs, small groups and independently.

4. Families and the Community are valued resources for enriching and expanding student learning.

In Third & Fourth Grade Classrooms you will find:

• Bi-Weekly Newsletters via email and web site.
• Volunteers are welcome in the classroom, on field trips and for special events.
• Our partnership with the Children's Theater brings the community into the classroom.
• Walking field trips will explore our community, visiting the Stone Arch Bridge, Mill City Museum and more.

5.  Learning is a process, something that each student does.  Teachers are guides, helpers and instructors.

In Fourth Grade Classrooms you will find:

• Diverse perspectives are shared on topics both academic and social through partner sharing, small group discussion and whole group discussion.
• We consider struggle as part of learning. Making mistakes allow students to grow and learn.
• We are working ot foster independence in students through work completion, returning of required materials, organization and advocating for themselves.
• Students learning from each other, as well as the teacher.

6.  We strive for a school culture that recognizes the Whole Child.  We recognize that students must feel safe, welcomed and a part of the community before learning can really take place.

In Third & Fourth Grade Classrooms you will find:

• All students participate in Morning Meetings.
• We are on a first name basis!
• Students are expected to work with all members of our community.  This is encouraged through frequent changes in seating arrangements.