April 2017 Newsletter: Faculty and Staff News

Elementary school students around the District are cultivating a new way to explore their own unanswered questions, thanks to our teachers' work with SOLE Cleveland, an educational group that promotes Self-Organized Learning Environments (SOLEs) for children.

SOLEs encourage children to work together to answer their own vibrant and challenging questions, using the Internet as a resource. Both Onaway and Boulevard staff have received professional training on the SOLE process, which includes:

Step One: Introducing a "Big Question." Big questions aren't easily answered, typically lead to more questions, and require critical thinking. Big questions often connect with what students are learning in school and extend across subject areas.
Step Two: Students self-organize into small groups and investigate answers online.
Step Three: Students present their discoveries and receive constructive feedback from teachers on their findings and presentations.

"We have always done a good job of generating great questions," says Onaway Principal Eric Forman. "But I think SOLE has given kids a great structure to explore their own and others' questions." Examples of Big Questions that Onaway students have SOLEd this year include:

• How do people communicate their ideas?
• What is energy, and where does it come from?
• What does it mean to live a healthy lifestyle?
• How are communities similar or different? 

SOLE supports the District's strategic goal to incorporate inquiry-based learning opportunities for staff and students. Students at Boulevard, Fernway, Lomond, and Onaway have all used the SOLE structure in class this school year. Mercer is building a relationship with SOLE Cleveland and will soon incorporate SOLEs in the classroom, as well.