We want students to communicate truthfully and effectively

At OCSI, we want students to communicate truthfully and effectively. What do I mean?

“Communicate” includes how we receive (listening, reading) and send (speaking, writing) communication.
“Truthfully” includes integrity, accuracy, and alignment with what God has revealed about Himself, His creation, and how He intended for us to relate to Him and to His creation.
“Effectively” includes clarity, beauty, and persuasiveness, accomplishing the goal.

Here are some ways middle school students are growing toward this goal:

Woodworkers are not allowed to advance on their projects without using woodshop vocabulary to describe what they are doing and why.
6th grade Bible students created and performed a skit based on one of 12 resurrection appearances of Jesus.
7th grade scientists are practicing using data as a method of truthful communication as they learn how tables of numerical data convey information.
7th grade geographers discussed in small groups the question “How does geography influence the way of life for people?” Students were able to communicate their ideas in a safe environment.
7th grade mathematicians wrote journals using academic vocabulary (discounts, retain, wholesale, etc.) answering the prompt “Do stores lose money when they have a sale? Explain with details and examples.”
8th grade Bible students read scripture and look for (1) the speaker, (2) the audience, (3) the main characters, (4) the big idea, (5) the enduring truth.
8th grade readers debated human nature with information from The Pearl and the Bible, focusing on listening to understand and on responding rather than reacting.
Middle school readers participated in our Drop Everything and Read Program on Thursdays.

Here are some ways high school students are growing toward this goal:

9th grade writers composed news articles incorporating multiple perspectives and avoiding bias.
10th grade Bible students submitted anonymous questions, then dialogued these openly within the classroom. This was done in a respectful, helpful way.
11th grade historians worked in teams to research and create a documentary.
High school mathematicians worked on projects in partners and then presented those projects to the class. They prepared their presentation according to a rubric of communication expectations.
High school PE students have learned to communicate effectively on the field during games of ultimate frisbee. They’ve experienced that communication helps them score, referee themselves, and encourage each other.
High school artists give verbal critiques of one another’s artwork on a regular basis. They discuss in advance how to construct thoughtful, helpful, meaningful critique comments, and the students are required to make a minimum number of verbal comments and encouraged to make additional comments.
High school computer scientists worked in peer programing teams.
High school readers participated in our Drop Everything and Read Program on Thursdays.

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Kim Essenburg, curriculum coordinator
Equipping students to walk with God and impact the world for Him
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