MegaSkills Essentials for the Classroom provides training in the use of the full MegaSkills classroom curriculum, grades K-8. It introduces students to a new approach designed: to develop strong study skills; to extend children's academic abilities; to involve families in MegaSkills activities at home to complement the work of the school; to build student self-discipline, and to prevent at- risk behaviors in children.
Q: What are MegaSkills and why is this classroom program needed?
A: MegaSkills are our inner engines of learning. They are the basic habits, skills and attitudes that determine achievement in school and in life. They include: confidence, motivation, effort, responsibility, initiative, perseverance, caring, teamwork, common sense, problem solving, focus and respect.
These MegaSkills are success attributes and are based on what Dr. Dorothy Rich, president of The Home and School Institute calls The Never-Ending Report Card.
Q: Why are MegaSkills so needed, so important, for educational reform today?
A: Through the MegaSkills program, schools are ensuring that children know what it takes to succeed, not assuming that they already know. This MegaSkills Program is a system for educators, using the power and reinforcement of the classroom group, to build these understandings, the true basics, that sustain us even as the world around us changes. MegaSkills provide the advantages all children need and deserve.
Q: What does MegaSkills Essentials for Classroom Success provide to students?
A: This initiative, to bring MegaSkills directly into classroom settings, based on the needs expressed by MegaSkills Workshop leaders across the country, is keyed to these objectives:
- To introduce students to a new approach designed to develop strong study skills and good work habits.
- To provide student self-esteem and creative thinking activities for the classroom and the home.
- To extend children's reading and writing interests and practice.
- To build student self-discipline and an ability to cope with pressures, to make individual choices and to build a positive attitude system -- key principles in preventing at-risk situations for children.
Reports indicate that children really learn using the program and the activities. Teachers/leaders recognize a positive change in the atmosphere of the classroom, an increased ability for children to be self-disciplined and to use MegaSkills for managing their own behavior. Principals and teachers report increased student achievement and decreased discipline problems.
Q: What is included in the training?
A: How-to topics include: Classroom issues, demonstrations of MegaSkills building sessions, managing the program, the classroom plan, the family connection. Opportunities for integration into the school curriculum are provided. To preserve program integrity, only those who have received HSI training, can use this program.
Q: What materials are provided in this program?
A: Participants receive the MegaSkills book and complete materials for conducting the classroom program. This includes Teacher Guide, MegaSkills Essentials Curriculum, Scope and Sequence adaptation, Curricular Integration Guide, Reproducibles for Students, Student and Evaluation Materials.
Q: How does this program work in the classroom and with families?
A: The MegaSkills curriculum can be used in a variety of ways; as separate sessions for implementing individual MegaSkills and/or as a curriculum segment to be integrated into the total instructional program. The MegaSkills classroom curriculum has been specifically designed to provide activities in different learning modalities so that teachers can simultaneously teach MegaSkills and reading, language arts, science, math, and critical thinking.
Q: Is this program effective with minorities and the needs of diverse populations including bilingual students?
A: Home Learning Activities have been successfully used with thousands of diverse groups including Hispanic, Asian, Native American and at-risk populations. All activities are culturally sensitive and increase positive interaction and academic growth.
Q: How does MegaSkills Essentials for the Classroom Team Training Model work?
A: A team from each grade level receives training to "lead" train the additional grade level teachers to conduct the MegaSkills Essentials for the Classroom program in their classrooms. |
