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HOT Schools
Established in 1994,
the Higher Order Thinking (HOT) Schools program works with select
Connecticut schools to promote teaching and learning in, about, and
through the arts in a democratic setting. The core components of an
effective HOT school are as follows:
Strong Arts
– In HOT schools, the arts are rigorous academic subjects, each with its
own sequential curriculum conveying knowledge not learned through other
academic disciplines.
Arts Integration
– HOT schools integrate the arts across disciplines, creating arts-rich
environments that motivate students to make connections between and
among subject areas and ideas.
Democratic
Practice – HOT schools cultivate a democratic school culture
which emphasizes individual leadership and to which all members of the
school community contribute.
HOT Schools Mission
Higher Order Thinking Schools inspire life-long learning in,
about,
and through the arts in a democratic community, celebrating each child’s
unique voice.
HOT Approach at SSES
With their heartfelt support of the arts and
generosity, the Easton PTA has funded our membership to the HOT Schools
organization since 1994. Our membership offers many wonderful benefits
to our school, including professional development, HOT Schools Summer
Institute, mini-institutes, peer days, and a ten-day teaching artist.
At Samuel Staples, teachers integrate the arts into
their instructional planning, creating rich environments that enhance
and reinforce the power of the arts in learning. Students express
themselves through movement, music, visual arts, creative writing, and
theater. Teachers use the arts to help students understand concepts and
skills across disciplines and often collaborate with colleagues to
create meaningful learning opportunities for their students.
Students take pride in their work and are often
eager to share what they learned at SSES Town Meetings. A town meeting
is a school-wide assembly which provides an audience for our students to
celebrate their successes. Town meetings are the direct result of our
involvement in the HOT Schools program.
Each month, students and staff in K-2 and in Grades
3-5 come together to showcase what they have learned using the arts as
their vehicle for learning. Students gain an understanding about the
different ways of learning that is happening in our school, and at the
same time, practice the four Respectful Agreements our school practices:
attentive listening, appreciation, the right to pass, and mutual
respect.
Evidence of students’ use of higher order thinking
skills can be seen and heard throughout of school. The following is a
list of notable HOT approaches used in all of some grades:
Artists of the Month (K-5)
Editorial Board (Gr. 5)
Magic Mailbox (2-5)
Band (Gr. 5)
Recorder Ensemble (4-5) Chorus (4-5)
Student Senate (Gr. 2)
Show of Stars Talent Show (3-5) Plays with Carol Glynn (Gr. 2)
Art Show (K-5)
Cultural Arts Assemblies (K-5)
Concerts (4-5)
Ukelele and Guitar Program (2-5)
Samuel Staples has also benefited
from the work of many gifted Connecticut teaching artists throughout the
years.
Eileen Dulen-Jennings – theater and creative movement
Mike Kachuba – songwriter
Tom Messanotte – camera obscura
Thomasina Levy – musician and songwriter
Susan Rosano – visual artist
21st Century Student
Outcomes
Supports HOTS
These outcomes are the knowledge,
skills, and expertise students should master to succeed in work and life
in the 21st century.
- MASTERY OF CORE SUBJECTS
ü English, reading, or
language arts
ü Science
ü World
languages
ü Geography
ü
Arts
ü History
ü
Mathematics
ü Government and Civics
ü Economics
- LEARNING AND
INNOVATION SKILLS
- CREATIVITY
AND INNOVATION
- CRITICAL THINKING
AND PROBLEM SOLVING
- COMMUNICATION
AND COLLABORATION
- INFORMATION,
MEDIA AND
TECHNOLOGY SKILLS
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