St. Mary’s Primary School

An Introduction to

Building Building Learning Learning

PowerPowerRoz Meredith BLP Coordinator St. Mary’s Primary School

What is Building Learning Power? (BLP)

• learning culture that encourages children and teachers to become better learners

• allows children to approach difficulties in learning without fear of failure

• the start of learning something new

• small steps within learning, do-able achievements

What is Building Learning Power?

• develops confidence

• not additional to teaching but should be grounded within everyday teaching

and learning

• gives labels for the children to use to develop understanding of learning

processes

Why are we Building Learning Power?

•Brain research has shown that the mind is improvable

•Builds Intelligence – knowing what to do when you don’t know what to do

(Piaget)•Habits can be changed and developed•Children becoming more independent•Children need to build learning skills

for life•Directed at Real Life Learning

Building Learning Power is based on the

Four Aspects of Learning

also called the Four R's

The Four R’s of LearningResilience

being ready, willing and able to lock onto learning

Resourcefulnessbeing ready, willing and able to learn in

different waysReflectiveness

being ready, willing and able to become more strategic about learning

Reciprocitybeing ready, willing and able to learn alone

and with others

The 4 R’s are split into 17 learning Capacities.

At St Mary’s we have linked the 17 Capacities to animals.

This has helped the children to identify with each one and to remember them.

They are becoming more aware of their own learning.

A statement agreed by Year 4 (2007-8)

Being stuck is Being stuck is the beginning the beginning of learning, of learning, not the end.not the end.

Remember …

How does BLP impact on the school?

• Encourages children to become curious about their own learning

• Improves levels• Builds children's confidence• Builds teachers' confidence• Creates a positive learning

environment• And much, much more …..

We are all learning – teachers, children and parents.

It is a process of learning without fear of failure.

And understanding that being stuck is not wrong ~ it is the start of our learning journeys.