FERRIS HEART : NUMERACY AND LITERACY CONNECTIONS

2023-2025 School Focus: HEART- Math Sense of Self / Literacy Connections

Ferris will continue developing a cohesive school-wide approach to Social Emotional Learning using our HEART MATRIX  during structured 'playdates'; in conjunction with delving into how our HEART focus can positively impact the social and emotional engagement of students by collaborating, creating,  and supporting  math  and literacy rich learning environments that value connection, confidence, and critical thinking. We have applied for two key Inquiry Grants to support our learning journey:

Numeracy/Math:

This inquiry Social engagement encourages collaboration-- by focusing on shared math language and communication, we hope to foster a collaborative environment where students learn to discuss strategies, explain their thinking, and respect others' ideas. This strengthens social bonds, encourages teamwork, and helps students feel part of a math-learning community. In such a community, they start to see their peers as resources, which can create a sense of shared responsibility and mutual support. This reduces feelings of isolation and makes learning a group effort, reinforcing positive social interactions.

Emotional engagement boosts confidence and positive Identity by emphasizing growth mindsets and focusing on building foundational skills (such as multiplication).  We hope this helps students feel successful in math and as they develop their math skills and overcome challenges, they gain confidence in their abilities, which reduces math anxiety and fosters a more positive identity as math learners. We want to reduce fear and increase enjoyment by creating a supportive environment where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities rather than failures encourages students to take risks without fear of judgment. This leads to a more enjoyable experience in math class, which can increase students' willingness to participate and engage emotionally.

Playdates (with HEART in mind):

The inquiry grant we applied for focuses on addressing the question: How can we use the Ferris HEART framework, combined with school-wide guided playdates, to foster students' social and emotional well-being? This grant will allow us to offer inclusive, choice-based activities that promote emotional safety, social connection, and community building. By integrating ideas from Hannah Beach, Spirals of Inquiry, and the First Peoples Principles of Learning, we aim to create a supportive environment where every student feels valued and engaged. The grant will enhance social-emotional learning and also strengthen relationships across our school community.

2020-2023 School Focus

In 2022/23, Ferris will continue developing a cohesive school-wide approach to Social Emotional Learning. We have applied for and received an Innovation Grant to continue to investigate our two key inquiry questions:

1. If we develop a cohesive SEL framework, will it positively impact the social, emotional, and intellectual engagement of students?

2. How can we support the growth of our students in the area of Personal Awareness and Responsibility?

Since the 2019/20 school year, the staff at Ferris has identified SEL as a key focus for our students and a main area for professional learning. This compliments and supports our School Story and Focus which centres on the Core Competency of Personal Awareness and Responsibility (self-advocacy, self-regulation and well-being).

The following SEL indicators have been identified by Ferris staff as being areas of focus for growth:

1. Explicit SEL Instruction

2. Authentic Parent/School Partnerships

3. Staff and Student Well-Being

Over the past three years, we have worked with Connie Easton (Curriculum Coordinator for SEL) and have built our capacity to implement strategies that support SEL in our classrooms. In the Spring of 2022, Connie Easton conducted focus groups with students from four classes with teachers participating in our inquiry project. We found that students in these classes could articulate a strong understanding of the importance of SEL and their own efforts to identify and regulate their emotions. The data we have collected has encouraged us to continue our inquiry for a fourth year, with a greater emphasis on implementing more SEL strategies school-wide.

2018-2020 School Focus

How can we support the growth of our students in the area of Personal Awareness and Responsiblity?

Personal awareness and responsibility includes the skills, strategies, and dispositions that help students to stay healthy and active, set goals, monitor progress, regulate emotions, respect their own rights and the rights of others, manage stress and persevere in difficult situations. Students who demonstrate personal awareness and responsiblity demonstrate self-respect and express a sense of personal well-being.

1. Self-Advocacy          2. Self-Regulation         3. Well-Being

2017-2018 School Focus

The Core Competency of Social Responsibility

Helping our students to build more personal connections with both students and adults in the school, and to develop a stronger internal motivation and understanding of our HEART Matrix.