Too often in middle and high school academics, students produce superficial work and then move on quickly to the next assignment/project/test. At Watershed, we aim to have students focus on fewer products, thus allowing the time, space, and expectation that they are of high quality. We believe that students learn best when they are producing work that they are proud of, work that demonstrates a high level of care and craft, something we refer to in our classes as great work. We also believe that learning in this way requires a process as much as it does a final product. We encourage students to intentionally embark on a journey to great work, work they are proud of, in each of their classes.
Chris Carithers, Director of Academics & Community Partnerships, reflects, “Learning is a process of growth, of questioning, of skill-building, of craft and artistry. Watershed educators and students take this learning process seriously. Embedded into all of our courses, be they expedition classes or skills classes, are reflection and revision. This, coupled with encouraging students to learn how to ask questions and to identify the skills and information they need to answer their questions, provides the rich soil from which students learn and create products they are proud of. This is how they journey toward great work.”
The journey to the creation of great work looks a little different for different students and in different classes. However, we’ve seen that high expectations, models of excellence, and a compelling process greatly support students in producing their best work. Additionally, students’ work becomes even more refined when they receive ample feedback and the opportunity to revise their work in an effort to take it to the next level. Here at Watershed, we know that we need to provide the time, the opportunity, the guidance, and access to the tools and resources our students need to do their best work.
What do students think about this? Play the video below to hear one student reflect on her current journey in one of her skills classes, “Drawing the World”.
