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High School Grade  Project 2 weeks

Newcomer Navigators: A Journey to Success!

Michelle M
Select and develop my message
Recognize and process my feelings
Recognize and respond to the feelings of others
Advocate for myself and others
Build networks
+ 13 more
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Purpose

The orientation program aims to support newcomer high school students in their transition to a new educational environment by fostering meaningful relationships, cultural understanding, and personal growth. Through interactive sessions, students will explore U.S. cultural and school norms, reflect on their academic and personal goals, and engage in career exploration activities. By creating digital portfolios and participating in reflection circles, students will develop skills in self-advocacy, network-building, and cultural intelligence, equipping them to navigate challenges and opportunities in their new school setting.

Learning goals

The learning goals for this orientation program focus on fostering students' ability to express ideas, navigate conflict, and build community while nurturing their identity and cultural intelligence. Students will develop skills to advocate for themselves and others, build networks, and engage in meaningful discussions. They will also learn to reflect on their experiences and monitor their progress towards personal and academic goals. Through project-based activities, students will explore post-secondary pathways, design solutions, and create digital portfolios that showcase their growth and insights.
Standards
  • Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.6: Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.
  • Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1: Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
  • Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.3: Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric.
Competencies
  • Express Ideas - Select and develop my message (EXI.2)
  • Navigate Conflict - Recognize and process my feelings (NC.1)
  • Navigate Conflict - Recognize and respond to the feelings of others (NC.2)
  • Build Community - Advocate for myself and others (BC.2)
  • Build Community - Build networks (BC.3)
  • Build Community - Develop as a multilingual (BC.4)
  • Build Community - Nurture and sustain relationships (BC.1)
  • Read The World - Find inspiration and ideas (RW.1)
  • Read The World - Learn from the past (RW.4)
  • Read The World - Engage and critique perspectives (RW.2)
  • Learn with Purpose - Develop a plan to pursue a goal (LI.1)
  • Learn with Purpose - Give and receive feedback (LI.3)
  • Learn with Purpose - Engage in discussion (LI.4)
  • Learn with Purpose - Reflect (LI.5)
  • Learn with Purpose - Monitor progress and adjust (LI.2)
  • Sustain Well-Being - Nurture my identity (SW.1)
  • Sustain Well-Being - Build cultural intelligence (SW.3)
  • Design Solutions - Build models, prototypes, or action plans (DS.2)

Products

Throughout the orientation program, students will develop a digital portfolio that includes multimedia elements such as videos, photos, and written narratives, showcasing their reflections, cultural insights, and personal growth. This portfolio will serve as a comprehensive record of their journey and achievements during the sessions. Additionally, students will participate in group reflection circles and workshops, where they will create collaborative presentations or visual displays that highlight their experiences and the networks they have built. These products will be shared electronically with school support staff and teachers, fostering ongoing dialogue and support.

Launch

Begin with an interactive welcome session where students participate in a "Cultural Exchange Fair." Each student creates a booth showcasing aspects of their cultural background, including traditional attire, foods, and music. This activity not only fosters a sense of belonging but also encourages students to express their identities and build connections with peers and school staff. School counselors and social workers can facilitate discussions on cultural intelligence and identity, setting the stage for deeper exploration in subsequent sessions.

Exhibition

Students will present their digital portfolios electronically to their school support staff and teachers, showcasing their reflections, cultural insights, and personal growth. This exhibition will include multimedia elements such as videos, photos, and written narratives that highlight their journey and achievements during the orientation program. By sharing their portfolios, students will engage in meaningful dialogue with their school community, fostering connections and demonstrating their readiness to navigate their new school environment.