The top 4 key differences between a traditional approach to education and the Solvit Academy approach to critical thinking, leadership, and communication skills.
What are your fondest memories of school? Did you enjoy learning? Did you feel prepared to be a world-changing member of society?
Imagine an educational program in which children were instilled with a love of learning, a respect for the opinions/values of others, and were provided with an opportunity to master their core academic skills all the while participating in hands-on collaborative projects. Solvit Academy is changing the realm of education and our future - one child at a time.
What makes Solvit Academy stand out?
Karlo Gesner
1. Authentic Learning Experiences
- It’s wonderful for children to learn about a concept through reading and listening, but we believe children learn best through participation in authentic activities.
- Providing our Voyagers (students) with the opportunity to have authentic experiences is vital to their learning. The topic of study becomes less abstract as we make it real to them. They experience more than just text and auditory information being delivered. This “deep learning” occurs because it becomes emotional.
- Example: Within our Spark Studio (K-1) we learned about Economics (Needs vs. Wants, Supply vs. Demand, Producer vs. Consumer, etc.) Spark Voyagers had the opportunity to develop a “Studio Shop” in which they could earn spendable dollars, purchase items, and make trades. This engaging experience inspired age-appropriate economic understanding.
Karlo Gesner
2. Individualized, Mastery-Based Learning
Would you prefer to have your home’s foundation built on sand or on concrete? Most of us would choose concrete because we know it will be able to hold up our housing structure, whereas the sand would be shifty and ultimately create future issues for our home. Do all children learn at the same pace? No they do not. What happens when a child has not mastered a vital academic concept but is required to move forward to the next academic concept? The outcome is an unsteady foundation.
Solvit Academy’s curriculum is aligned to state and national standards. Rather than being required to meet benchmarks and move forward at the pace of a curriculum timeline, we are able to meet the learners at their present academic state. We are able to spend time creating the building blocks of critical core skills and academic foundational pieces so that every learner is fully prepared to move forward.
Example: Spark Voyagers meet individually and/or in small groups with me each day. During this time, we work on key core skills, at their level, that they are in the process of mastering. Although our content is rigorous, and our end of year results show that learners are working above their “grade-level”, the Voyagers achieve their personal accomplishments when they are ready. Learning is a journey and a life-long process...not a sprint.
Karlo Gesner
3. Social-Emotional Skill Building
As human beings, we are more than just the knowledge that we possess. We recognize that we change the world with our humanity. We are able to debate, evolve, create, and connect emotionally with others. By focusing on the whole child, we can support these young learners academically, as well as socially and emotionally.
Because Solvit Academy values the social-emotional aspect of learning so much, a large amount of time is allotted throughout the day for the Voyagers and their Guides to focus on building this skill-set in each individual. If an issue arises that we believe is important, we are able to take the time needed to assist Voyagers in talking and working through the situation, which helps them arrive at a resolution.
Example: Every morning before our academic day begins, Spark Voyagers have time in which we spend focusing (and practicing) social-emotional concepts and skills. We may give compliments to a friend, evaluate our current feelings, share something on our mind, or discuss how we would respond within a mock-scenario. Throughout the day, there is evidence of the Voyagers utilizing these skills and it has led to real growth in regards to emotional intelligence.
Karlo Gesner
4. PLAY!!!
Did you know that one of the most authentic ways for children to learn is through playing? It’s true!! Research shows that when children play, they are doing so much more than just “playing”. They are practicing their communication skills, problem solving skills, working through conflict in a safe environment, increasing their vocabulary, and developing a deeper understanding of previously learned concepts.
Playing also provides children with the opportunity to have a “mental break” if need be. Think about how mentally draining a work day can be for you and imagine a five-year-old experiencing that same type of mental exhaustion. If children aren’t provided with time to play and/or an opportunity to deviate from academics, it will actually have the reverse effect on their learning and make it more difficult for them to succeed. Play allows children to “reset” and come back ready and refreshed for the next task.
Example: Because Solvit Academy recognizes its importance, free choice play is built into the Spark Studio schedule. The learners love to create projects in the art room, build with blocks, play board games, complete puzzles, dress up as superheroes, and even use their imagination to play out a fun scenario they thought up all on their own. With a schedule free from unnecessary test prep and other paperwork, Guides can build in extra play time or movement when the learners need it.
It’s an exciting world at Solvit Academy. Education as we know it is being transformed. Children are thriving, excelling, growing, and developing a love for learning. As a former teacher in a traditional setting, now a Guide at Solvit Academy, as well as a parent to a Voyager who also attends the school, I can truly say that this model and philosophy is life-changing. Solvit Academy contains all the amazing features of other educational programs pieced together to create an entity of its own. But don’t just take my word for it. We would love to have Solvit Academy find its place in your own Hero’s Journey.
Want to learn more? Please join us for an open house! Register now.