As Indian Creek School considered the most valuable, equitable, and achievable approach to assessing learning in the Virtual School environment, we decided to focus on student competencies – rather than traditional grades. Competencies are combinations of knowledge, skills and attitudes that students develop and apply for successful learning, living and working. Each session of Indian Creek’s Virtual School focuses on a specific competency for students in Pre-K3 – 12, which features an accompanying Community Challenge to encourage thoughtful participation.

ICS is focusing on the school-wide learning competency of Communication for Session 2 of Virtual School. Communication is the act of transferring information from one place, person or group to another through verbal, non-verbal, written, or visual means. Strong communication skills help individuals to communicate their ideas clearly and effectively, advocate for themselves, connect with others, and effectively respond to the world around them.

During Session 2 of Virtual School (from April 14 – May 1) we challenge all ICS students to create a “Creek Capsule” to communicate to their peers, their future selves, and forthcoming generations about what life was like for the during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students may create their Creek Capsules using the method of communication (or combinations of methods) that best helps them to convey their experience.
Some examples may include:
• A box of mementos
• A journal
• A podcast or blog
• A playlist
• A video
• A photo album
• A completed “Creek Capsule” packet (We have created a timecapsule guidebook to help inspire our youngest students in their work.)

JOIN THE CHALLENGE
We invite all members of our Creek Community to share their Creek Capsules with us by sending a photo, video, playlist, packet, or any other media that represents your project to [email protected] or sharing to ICS social media using the hashtag #creekcapsule