Thinking,

I use my thinking skills in math class to help me with critical thinking and problem solving. Math encourages high level thinking, which for me includes attention to detail especially the small common mistakes, problem solving, and identifying strategies and making connections. These are all key to critical thinking and creativity. When I’m in class, solving math problems it improves my thinking skills by applying my critical thinking skills into trying to figure out the best strategy out of many possible methods in order to reach the solution. This falls under creativity as well, when I am evaluating or comparing solutions I think of how I should evaluate which solution should be best for the given solution. Specifically for math class, I must think outside the box because most of the time math problems do not have just one solution there could be multiple or variations and in these cases is when you really need to think about how you’re going to solve the question, what steps you’re going to take, and which method you are going to use. In my class, my teacher usually adds in explain questions in tests which is when I have to explain my reasoning of choice and why I believe that that’s the correct answer, these questions especially gets me to use my critical thinking skills because it’s not just about math or algebra or solving problems with numbers anymore, it’s getting me to write and think. In math, critical thinking is key for separating if you know how to “do” math and if you truly understand what you’re doing. When I do math, I can form calculations and explain concepts because I’ve learned formulas and definitions through practice, but I don’t necessarily know why that specific formula works, and this is where thinking will kicks in because you need to truly understand the concept to apply it to different problems and adapt it to new solutions, rather than just memorizing steps.

 

Communication,

In cadets, I use communication to teach, lead, and work efficiently with others. For example, when I am preparing a lesson to teach it infront of other cadets, I need to explain the material clearly so that everyone understands without being confused. I make sure to use clear language, speak at a steady pace, and constantly check with the group to make sure everyone is still following along. If someone has questions, I listen carefully and try my best to provide them with clear and understandable answers. Communication is especially important when I work in the other team members because I share my ideas and plans with them so everyone is aware what I am doing, I also listen to other’s opinions and make sure we are all on the same page because there would be a lot of confusion without communication. Through cadets, I’ve learned how to use appropriate communication depending on the type of situation. Whether I am teaching, leading, or working as a teammate, I make sure my actions and messages are respectful and clear so that everyone can work efficiently to achieve our goals.

 

 

 

 

 

What are Core Competencies?

Core Competencies are the foundation to the Big Ideas, Curricular Competencies, and Content of our BC Curriculum. This foundation ensures that students are always mindful of their growth in the Core Competencies through self-reflection, self-assessment, and providing evidence of growth. 

Click Here for More Information About the Competencies

Why Self-Assessment?

Students come to the classroom with experiences and knowledge related to the Core Competencies. Self-assessment allows students to develop the ability to describe their learning in relation to the Core Competencies. They will set goals and gain greater ownership for their learning when they have the opportunity to self-assess and describe who they are as learners, document their progress, and share their accomplishments in an ongoing and holistic manner. The emphasis on self-assessment promotes personalization, inclusion, diversity, and student ownership of learning as it becomes a natural part of the learning process.

Your Self-Assessment

Step 1 – Artifacts, Samples or Examples

Choose artifacts, samples and/or examples from your learning experiences this year that you feel illustrate your strengths & growth in one or more of the core competencies. This could include photos, collages, graphic stories, illustrations, poems, etc. If you have not done so already, place these artifacts in a new post on your Edublog. Look at the list of examples for documenting your learning provided below:

Step 2 – Complete the Core Competencies Self-Assessment

Take a moment to read all of the competencies listed above. Now describe how the artifact you selected shows your strengths & growth in specific core competencies. Complete either the Self-Assessment (PDF) or Self-Assessment (Word) . The prompt questions on the left – or other self-assessment activities you may have done – may guide your reflection process. For more suggestions of Core Competency Prompts look at the sample questions below, they have been separated by each competency or CLICK HERE.

Communication

• How do you show that you are listening thoughtfully?
  
• What listening skills do you use to enhance your learning?
• What are some ways that you use to communicate your learning?
• What do you do when you disagree with someone in your group or discussion? How did you learn/develop that strategy?

Critical Thinking

• How does your artifact tie in with what you have learned before? How has your thinking changed? What made it change?
• Do you agree or disagree with this (statement, opinion, artifact or hypothesis)? What evidence is there to support your answer?
• What strategies do you use to decide whether to believe something you read? How did you develop these strategies? What advice would you give a younger student about figuring out what is true?

Creative Thinking

• How do you come up with ideas when you want to make something new at school or at home? Tell me about a time when you felt really good about a new idea you had.
• What helps you get new ideas?
• What make you want to get new idea or try something new?

Social Responsibility

• How do you use words and actions to encourage other students who might be feeling a bit sad or discouraged?
• What contribution have you made to our school that you feel good about? How did you get started doing that?

Positive and Personal Cultural Identity

• What are your strengths as a learner and how do you learn best?
• What are some aspects that you value about your culture?
• How do you portray aspects of your cultural contexts in your work? (e.g. through images or words)
• What are some things about your culture that you would like other people to know?
• How do you use your strengths and abilities in your family, relationships, and community?

Personal Awareness and Responsibility

• Tell me about one of your learning goals. (Prompt: Something you want to get better at or learn how to do.) How did you come to that goal? Tell me about something you are doing to help you work on that goal?
• What do you do to help yourself when you are feeling a bit discouraged about your work?
• Think of times when you have to wait. What strategies do you use when you are feeling impatient? How did you develop that strategy?  When did you start? How does it work?

Step 3 – Publish Your Self-Assessment

You will now attach and/or embed your self-assessment to the bottom of the blog post with the artifact you have chosen. You may choose to make this post private or public. After placing your artifact on a blog post, follow the instructions below.

1. Categories – Self-Assessment
2. Tags – Now tag your post using the tag that corresponds to the competency that you have written about. You can choose more than one. Please use lower case letters and be exact.
   • #creativethinkingcc
   • #communicationcc
   • #criticalthinkingcc
   • #socialresponsibilitycc
   • #personalidentitycc
   • #personalawarenesscc
3. Use the Add Document button located at the top of your post page and embed your self-assessment at the bottom of your blog post.
4. Publish

Additional Resources

Supporting the Self-Assessment and Reporting of Core Competencies – Ministry of Education