At Gateway, one of the first skills our teachers emphasize is effective student collaboration. Without a solid understanding of what real academic teamwork looks like, sounds like and feels like, students can default to uneven group dynamics that result in uneven learning outcomes -- and are more likely to spend the group lesson you painstakingly planned goofing off. The Collaboration Rubric explicitly details the strategies, skills and mindsets of effective group learning, and is ideal for student self-assessment or peer-to-peer assessments. Moreover, the document includes space for student reflection on their collaboration strengths and weaknesses each time the rubric is used.

Before using this rubric, remember that it is only helpful if students understand it! Reviewing it and how it ties into upcoming teamwork will shape students’ experience and help them be mindful of the skills they are working on. One effective strategy is to focus as a class on one specific area or skill, building on subsequent sections of the rubric over the course of several weeks.

An additional tool to help students manage their collaboration time effectively is this set of Group Collaboration Role Cards. Whenever group work provides a meaningful vehicle for student learning, these clearly defined group roles can be used and adapted to help students reach the goal. Role names can be modified and adapted to reinforce your classroom culture or better suit student needs. In fact, they’re also a great tool for making sure your time is used effectively in collaborative professional development -- give them a try!

Both resources include the templates as both PDF and fully customizable Word docs, as well as a full text overview, links to related resources, and a video guide to using the template.

Attention Bay Area educators (or anyone looking for a great reason to visit): our friends at the Nueva School are hosting their second Innovative Learners Conference in partnership with SFUSD, October 16-18 in San Francisco and San Mateo. More than 75 speakers and 1,000 educators from around the world will convene to discuss topics ranging from educational equity to globalization to social-emotional learning. 

The conference is held only once every two years, so be sure to register soon if you're interested! Early bird discounted pricing is available until September 18th.

Are you headed to the CASEL Social and Emotional Learning Exchange in Chicago this October? If so, we’ll see you there! Gateway Impact is co-presenting with the Learning Policy Institute about our approach to student agency and noncognitive skills in the classroom. Come to our session and introduce yourself! If you’re not already registered to attend, this event has unfortunately sold out, but fear not! Gateway Impact will be presenting at a number of conferences and events throughout 2019-20; keep an eye out for further details!

Call for Presentations: Tell us how YOU shape student growth at the Gateway Impact Powerful Learners Mini-Conference on Feb. 1, 2020

Do you have a fabulous tool, tip or strategy that other educators could benefit from? Come share them with colleagues from a diverse array of schools and nonprofits and be inspired by them in turn! We are currently seeking presentations from educators and youth workers of every stripe about how best to support students in developing the skills, habits and mindsets that will make them successful across all content areas and beyond the classroom as well. We are open to all ideas that can help K-12 students become "powerful learners". Presenting is a great way to build connections with like-minded educators, and it’s a nice boost for your LinkedIn, at that! Submit a brief proposal to info@gatewayimpact.org and we’ll be in touch!

Save the date: 2nd Annual Powerful Learners Mini-Conference at Gateway High School in San Francisco on Saturday, February 1.