students and teacher in a classroom

What is Learning Seminar?

What Students Learn in Secondary Learning Seminar

Learning Seminar is dedicated time, during the school day. It is a time for students to:

  • Connect with others
  • Receive intervention (if needed)
  • Access enrichment activities

This is not a credit-bearing class and looks different depending on student needs.

These will help them find success in school, in their personal lives, and the world of tomorrow.

Connecting

Students connect with others through advisory. Advisory is dedicated time for all students across FCPS. During this time students:

  • Build relationships and community with their advisor.
  • Proactively develop academic, social, and emotional skills.

Advisory is about one hour per week. Each block consists of both:

Focus lessons align with the areas below. They may include other division-required activities.

ACP develops essential key career readiness skills that are foundational for success in any professional setting:

  • Ethical behavior
  • Academic achievement
  • Development of Portrait of a Graduate skills

ACP acknowledges the dynamic nature of the workplace; students will need skills to learn and adapt. Lessons highlight the connection between personal interests and diverse career pathways. Students are encouraged to leverage their passions in their professional pursuits. Every student will graduate ready to thrive in life after high school. They will each have the skills to navigate, adapt, and innovate for a sustainable future.

ACP includes:

Strong academic habits are the building blocks for success in school and beyond. 

Executive Functioning Skills

Students develop essential executive functioning skills using AVID strategies and other best practices. These skills help students:

  • Plan
  • Organize
  • Manage time
  • Focus on tasks
  • Take time to reflect and celebrate personal growth

These skills are crucial for tackling challenging academics and will benefit students in any future career.

Academic Habits

Academic habits not only boost students’ academic performance but also prepare them to be well-rounded, engaged individuals who can thrive in a collaborative and ever-changing world.

SEL is made up of five areas of knowledge and skill: 

  • Self-Awareness
  • Self-Management
  • Social Awareness
  • Relationship Skills
  • Responsible Decision-making

These skills are important for collaboration and perspective taking. They also help students manage their feelings, address challenges, and reach their goals. (CASEL, 2020).

RAM activities support community building. They also help students to learn and apply SEL skills to support academic and personal success.