TriPoint Academy - Connections

Connections

Connections is a pillar program of TriPoint Academy that explicitly teaches executive functioning skills. It is implemented through a Two-Semester scaffolded approach for developmentally based groups by which the Learning Facilitator explicitly teaches select skills and facilitates relevant application and practice. [Semester 1 has a Build Skills focus, and Semester 2 has a Leadership & Accountability focus.]

All students start the day in Connections class where they engage in a 30-minute lesson, activity, or skill-based challenge based on the executive function skill of the day. Each day of the week targets a specific executive functioning skill that all developmentally based groups will be engaged with throughout the school.

Components

Connections pods are grouped developmentally to ensure that all students are learning and practicing developmentally appropriate skills. The program has a two-component foundation of TriPoint Values & Norms and the Explicit Teaching of Executive Function. While each pod will be targeting the same skills daily, engagement is always developmentally appropriate to further growth and ownership. [click for more info]

TriPoint Values & Norms

The first Connections lessons highlight a high-level overview of TriPoint’s values and norms in order to set expectations for engagement and culture. Students will review the school’s pillars, [Critical Thinking, Connections & Change], engage with the question “What does it mean to be a TriPoint student?” and create their own classroom contracts.

Explicit Teaching of Executive Function

Executive Functioning lessons are all developmentally aligned. For example; While K-2 students mostly receive instruction that is specific to Attention Control, 3-6 will learn and apply skills through the resource 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. 7+ students will also learn and apply skills with the use of additional resources, however they will engage with a strong application-based focus on Leadership and Accountability.