Formational Learning Stories: Putting Our Throughlines Into Action
Earth & Space Science All Things Trout
STORYLINE Order, Beauty & Chaos THROUGHLINES Steward of Creation | Order Discoverers Dr. Thor Benson | t_benson@swchs.org
Deep Hope
My Deep Hope is that we know God as Creator, engage the order, beauty & chaos in creation & join in the restoration of all things new.
Learning Target
I can be a steward of creation. I can continue to imagine playing my part in the restoration of all things new.
This Trout in the Classroom FLEx project engaged the real work of caring for trout from eggs to fingerlings, managing water tank chemistry & feeding schedules & studying macroinvertebrate food sources. It was situated within a larger unit on the hydrosphere with clean water access, river maturation, & ecology. Students participated in an ecological restoration project in a local watershed with community members, engaged with experts from Trout Unlimited and released the trout in our local watershed. Rich in hands-on learning and reflection, their shoulder-to-shoulder work with real people helped contextualize the real need for ecosystem preservation and habitat restoration.
Formational Learning
“The type of work actually matters because it is us participating in the preservation of God’s creation.” “I saw myself as a steward of creation because I got to take my love of fish and bring it to the classroom. It’s not everyday that you get to take something you love and bring it into different classes.” “This type of work matters because God calls us to be stewards of creation and appreciate God’s creation by preserving it and caring for others.”
Student Reflections
The FLEx project enabled my students to engage in handson, real-life restorative work with our local watershed. Students made direct connections between our curriculum and being active stewards of creation as they help preserve an ecosystem. Studying the life cycle of trout as indicator species for the watershed, managing water chemistry and investigating macroinvertebrates as a food source provided students with opportunities to explore God’s creation.
Teacher Reflection
Southwest Christian High School | Chaska, MN | swchs.org To seek, know, live, and proclaim the Truth.
Junior Bible
“Word & Table: Family Bible Interp Project” STORYLINE Heaven, Earth, Logos THROUGHLINES Image Bearers, Loved by God, Lovers of Others Don Carlson | d_carlson@swchs.org
Deep Hope
To grow strong in soul, refreshed in spirit, as we become mindful and diligent keepers of the wisdom found in the depths of the Christian Story.
Learning Target
I can get better at interpreting Scripture on my own and with my family. I can appreciate different perspectives, and interpretations different from my own.
Our FLeX project is designed to bring together a number of foundational exegetical skills we practice together in class (e.g. pattern recognition, narrative and grammatical analysis, etc.), and to take those skills “back home” to the family table. Teens are better equipped to have a meaningful study and honest conversation with their parents as they talk through a key Scripture together over a shared meal.
Formational Learning
Student Reflections
“I have grown in my love and respect for my mother and we are planning on doing weekly Bible Studies now. The process of this project was fun and it just had a natural flow... Ultimately, I would do it again. I enjoyed it a lot.”
It was so encouraging for me to see so many of my students grow a little bit stronger in their souls, a little more refreshed in their spirits as they practiced seeking wisdom through the study of Scripture at home with their moms and dads around the family dinner table. I love to hear from moms and dads how this project blessed their homes.
Teacher Reflection
Southwest Christian High School | Chaska, MN | swchs.org To seek, know, live, and proclaim the Truth.
11th Grade U.S. History STORYLINE Dig Deeper
THROUGHLINES Loved by God, Lovers of Others Idolatry Discerning Andrew Johnson | a_johnson@swchs.org
My earnest hope is that we will dig deep into the complexities of American history in order to better love our neighbor and join in God’s work of reconciliation.
Deep Hope
Learning Target
I can allow Christian practices and my historical understanding to shape my political posture.
We live in an age of broken and fragmented political discourse that impacts ourselves, our families, our communities and our nation. This sort of political “tribalism” is antithetical to the Christian faith. Students will be doing the following: 1. Writing a political position paper 2. Engaging in a conversation with a local leader 3. Entering into a political conversation with a friend or loved one
Formational Learning
Student Reflections
“It was helpful to experience a real life political conversation so that I am better equipped to reflect Christ’s love in future discussions with people who may not agree with me.”
“Out of the three components, I would say the political conversation was the most meaningful as I was able to put into practice the Christian posture we had been building throughout the unit. I think students got a ton of practical life experience from this project. Some students felt they benefited most from digging deeper into a topic and researching for their position paper. Others felt really compelled by the story and Christian role-modeling by Pastor Billy Russell’s story of living through Southern segregation, and how we can avoid hating those who persecute, and choose to love like Christ. I also felt like students who found someone they disagreed with for the conversation piece got a fantastic opportunity to practice Christian posture (humility, empathy) for someone they disagree with.
Teacher Reflection
Southwest Christian High School | Chaska, MN | swchs.org To seek, know, live, and proclaim the Truth.
United States History STORYLINE The Blessing & The Curse
THROUGHLINES Loved by God, Lovers of Others Servant-Hearted Workers Peter Welle | p_welle@swchs.org
Deep Hope
May we see the patterns of God’s story in the blessings and curses of our American inheritance and respond by joining in God’s restoration work.
Learning Target
I can experience how the head work of history can affect my heart and do restorative work in my relationships.
Students sought out an older family member or friend and invited them about their story regarding a particular moment or theme of American history. After that, they did research to understand the chapter of American history that their subject’s story related to. Finally, they wrote a paper situating their loved one’s story within the broader story of American history and God’s story and gave it to them as a gift.
Formational Learning
“I wouldn’t change anything about the project. I liked this assignment and I liked that it was kind of broad and we got to choose what we wrote about. I also liked that this assignment was deeper than just getting a good grade.”
Student Reflections
“Throughout the process I learned a lot of knowledge and facts, but more importantly, I had a change in my heart.” Every year, this project is the strongest counterpoint to the “grades story” that students experience in my class. It is their opportunity to participate in God’s restoration work, and it is deeply relational in nature. As a result, student engagement is extremely strong.
Teacher Reflection
Southwest Christian High School | Chaska, MN | swchs.org To seek, know, live, and proclaim the Truth.
9th & 10th Grade Bible Christmas Crossover STORYLINE It is Great to be in God’s Community! THROUGHLINES Loved by God, Lovers of Others, Creators of Beautiful Things Kyle Leaman | k_leaman@swchs.org
Deep Hope
My deep hope is that we form a New Testament community eager to know Christ’s love for us and extend it to others.
Learning Target
I can contribute to a Christian community that grows in knowing and extending God’s love. I can understand why Christians retell and rehearse the stories of Scripture - especially of Christ.
Christmas Crossover is a learning experience where sophomore New Testament students partner with freshman Old Testament students to experience a way of being together centered on sharing biblical truths. Sophomores prepare and present a review of major New Testament themes showing how Scripture reveals that we are loved by God. Freshmen share parallel Old Testament insights from Deuteronomy, and together students identify connections across Scripture. This collaborative dialogue strengthens biblical literacy, communication skills, and relational leadership while reviewing course content.
Formational Learning
“The Israelite laws and beatitudes both show us how to live how God wants us too. They both give meaningful guidelines we can use in our lives.” -Mckenzie Sykora “The beatitudes and God’s laws in Deuteronomy, both promote human flourishing. Living out the beatitudes, leads to a more peaceful society. Listening to God’s commands can lead to blessings from God.” -Sophia Brewer “The most interesting part was seeing how what we are learning in different classes can come together and show God’s love. We were able to connect our assignments together and it was interesting to see.” -Hope Deutsch “I loved getting to know a freshman! It was a lot of fun.” -Ben Boer
Student Reflections
This Christmas Crossover took place at the end of the semester during a review day and provided a meaningful compliment to a traditional review. It allowed students to revisit the key throughlines of the course while asking sophomores to take model Christian community by helping to lead conversations on review material with freshmen. Students were engaged and took the responsibility seriously, which aligned well with my Deep Hope of forming a New Testament community eager to know Christ’s love for us.
Teacher Reflection
Southwest Christian High School | Chaska, MN | swchs.org To seek, know, live, and proclaim the Truth.
9th Grade Biology STORYLINE Dig Deep
THROUGHLINES Steward of Creation Order Discoverer Julie Bowers | j_bowers@swchs.org
Deep Hope
May we look at the natural world with curiousity and wonder and dig deeper to see God’s fingerprints throughout all creation.
Learning Target
I can dig deep into the concepts of biology to see God’s orderliness throughout creation and to discover how I can do my part as a steward in caring for His orderliness.
Students were tasked with creating a testable question regarding plant propagation methods. After finding a good question, students carried out their experiments, making sure they used the scientific method. They wrote a proper lab report and then created care cards for the plants that included their testable question, their findings, how to care for the plant and a scripture verse. They were then tasked with physically handing the plant and the care card to someone as a gift.
Formational Learning
“We dug deep into how we needed to think about something that hasn’t already been tested and that we wouldn’t be able to just look up the answer on the internet. I think it helped me get out of my comfort zone with being able to work and communicate with people that I normally would not talk to or work with in general. I think it was also out of my comfort zone to see some of our plants completely die, and know that it is all part of the experiment and that it is helping us learn for the future.”
Student Reflections
“The FLEX project fits with the SWCHS throughline servant hearted workers because I had to work hard to make an experiment, conduct the experiment, propagate a plant, and care for the plant before I had to give it away to bring joy to someone who could use it. I cared for the plant on behalf of someone else: Mrs. Devries to bring her joy in her grief. It also connects with the SWCHS throughline loved by God, lover of others because I was able to spread God’s love through delivering the plant.” Students have to push themselves into a deeper thinking and have perseverance, as propagating plants takes a longer time than most other experiments. It gets them doing real work done in horticulture science and it meets the needs of people who are celebrating, grieving or just in need of some encouragement or thanks.
Teacher Reflection
Southwest Christian High School | Chaska, MN | swchs.org To seek, know, live, and proclaim the Truth.
Honors/Regular English 9 STORYLINE Be enLIGHTened. THROUGHLINES Justice Seekers, Image Bearers Rachel Minerich | r_minerich@swchs.org
May we invite God’s Spirit to ignite our critical thinking, write wisdom into our hearts, & delight in His Truth.
Deep Hope Learning Target
I can learn from others’ perspectives that are not my own. I can listen and empathize with others. I can be a watchman for the marginalized.
To begin the unit, Mrs. Shani Johnson and Mrs. Jane Krause shared their Sankofa Journey down South in an assembly with all the freshmen. They told about how they visited the historical places involved in the Civil Rights Movement and its history. Then, as we read To Kill A Mockingbird, we discussed how we as Christians must navigate the ways our sinful society perverts our Christian vision of community into a xenophobic majority. We learn we are called to seek justice in an unjust world and actively watch over those who are on the fringes. At the end of the unit, Coach Flom shared his mission work to provide real life examples of ways we can shine God’s light with those in need.
Formational Learning
“To be enLIGHTened means that we are a vessel for Jesus. It means we shine the light of God and work to bring others the same joy we find in the love of Christ no matter who they are or what they look like.” “Those who are enLIGHTened stand out from others because they possess genuine character.They are trying their best to be the hands and feet of Jesus, thereby treating all God’s people with respect.”
Student Reflections
The students learned from the historically accurate story about how the issues of racism, hypocrisy, intolerance, and ignorance were embedded in the South in the 1930s and identified how they are still pervasive today. We discussed how to guard ourselves and others from falling victim to how these postures are molded, reinforced, and perpetuated. We ultimately identified them as unjust and recognized our call to action: to seek justice as powerful way to live out our faith.
Teacher Reflection
Southwest Christian High School | Chaska, MN | swchs.org To seek, know, live, and proclaim the Truth.
Honors English 11 See
STORYLINE Differently
THROUGHLINES Loved by God, Lovers of Others, Seekers of Justice Matt Berka | m_berka@swchs.org
Deep Hope
May we critically analyze words and ideas to better see and pursue a life in Christ.
Learning Target
I can follow the example of Christians who have come before me and do restorative work in my relationships through prayer.
Formational Learning
After reading and studying works by Frederick Douglass and Martin Luther King Jr., students followed their example of seeking restorative and relational justice while embodying Christ’s love by choosing someone in their life with whom they desire relational restoration. Then, guided by daily prayer prompts, students practice daily prayer for that person throughout a calendar month, reflecting on both the inward and outward effects along the way. “I see the person that I was praying for differently. this helped me see more of their personality and character rather than just a bothersome person to try to avoid. I think that this is because the prayer activity changed my heart towards them and increased my patience for them. it also surprisingly helped change their behavior which may have been the root problem.”
Student Reflections
“I wasn’t sure if I would actually feel different at the end of the month, but I really feel like praying has really helped how I see the person I chose and I see praying in a different perspective.” This project builds on the rhetorical analysis students complete of each text and deepens their understanding by adding reflective thinking. By way of the academic work, this FLEx puts our unit’s Throughlines into motion (Loved by God; Lovers of Others; Seekers of Justice) and helps students experience the course’s Deep Hope because of the course storyline. Perhaps more than anything else in my course, this FLEx project pairs the “head, heart, and hands” of a student in one single task.
Teacher Reflection
Southwest Christian High School | Chaska, MN | swchs.org To seek, know, live, and proclaim the Truth.
Computer Graphic Design STORYLINE Create & Serve THROUGHLINES Creators of Beautiful Things, Servant Hearted Workers Greg Sayuk | g_sayuk@swchs.org
That students would be empowered to illustrate the love of Christ by serving others and creating purposeful art that is integrated into daily life.
Deep Hope
Learning Target
• • • •
Learn and implement the Elements of Art & Principles of Design Gain experience using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop software Incorporate design science for different types of projects and media Use your skills to serve a client with a design need
Formational Learning
Students in Graphic Design class identify a member of their community that has a need for design work. This can include a business, parent, teacher, coach, pastor, or other adult. Students spend 5-6 weeks working with their client to pinpoint project specifications and design preferences, while providing insight to their client in regards to font, color, and layout options.
Student Reflections
“I was able to learn computer skills in an environment that was appealing and fun.” “I learned how to make purposeful color choices and plan all of the elements of a project before I start working, which can help me design things in my future.” “I was able to get better at critiquing and providing helpful information to help others improve. I was also able to become better at receiving feedback and applying it to my future projects.” At the beginning of the semester, students can feel overwhelmed by the idea of using their design skills to create work that might actually be used by a client for a real purpose. But after doing a number of activities to develop their understanding of the software and which principles to employ for a given project, students have a tendency to surprise themselves with the quality of work they are able to generate.
Teacher Reflection
Southwest Christian High School | Chaska, MN | swchs.org To seek, know, live, and proclaim the Truth.
Foundations of Algebra STORYLINE Persevere Unafraid THROUGHLINE Order Discoverers Jane Krause | j_krause@swchs.org
Deep Hope
My heart’s desire is that my students persevere, unafraid of failure, assured in their identity as beloved children of God.
Learning Target
I can use my mastery of math concepts to become the expert and help others to achieve mastery of these concepts as well.
My foundations students needed to review math concepts first taught in third and fourth grade in order to find success in high school math. To motivate them mastering these concepts, rewrite their stories to now be the math experts, and help others, we partnered with two local third and fourth grade teachers. My students mastered the concepts, learned a game using that concept, and taught that game to a small group of third or fourth grade students. This helped both my students and the elementary students better understand that concept and build connections with each other.
Formational Learning
I unfortunately do not have quotes because my students did hand written reflections and I did not have the foresight to hang on to them. However, students reflected after each visit and became more and more confident in their math abilities and leadership skills. They loved seeing how they were actually helping these student to understand the concept better and have fun with math since they were playing games and making connections with older students. Our FLEx days were a favorite for my students and the elementary students.
Student Reflections
It was so cool to see my students’ confidence grow each time we returned to the classroom. They loved being seen as the experts and helping teach the elementary students. Now that I no longer teach this class I have been brainstorming ideas to do a similarly FLEx with my other classes. An idea I am working on is having groups become experts on concepts we learn in class and create a review video, material, or activity to help their classmates and future students master that concept.
Teacher Reflection
Southwest Christian High School | Chaska, MN | swchs.org To seek, know, live, and proclaim the Truth.
9th Grade Old Testament STORYLINE Wonder Why THROUGHLINES Loved by God, Lovers of Others Dustin Thompson | d_thompson@swchs.org
Deep Hope
I hope that we will become curious readers who interpret the Old Testament in order to love God in word, deed, and thought.
Learning Target
I can exhibit love for my parents by regularly sharing with them about my spiritual and academic interests in Bible class.
Students are required to have a 5-minute conversation with their parents each unit. These conversations provide opportunities for students to share what they have learned, questions that they might have, and ways that they have seen themselves grow. The practical goal of this activity is that students would love their parents by providing windows into their Bible class experience building strong relations between parents and students.
Formational Learning
“I’ve started to grow a deeper love in books of the Bible that I wouldn’t have thought too much about before, like Leviticus and Numbers. Analyzing the context a bit more and understanding what the writers of these books were trying to say has made me become a better and more careful reader of the Bible.” “As I read my Bible now, I start to catch more small details then I had before. The Bible has become even more interesting to me, and I can see that it’s growing my relationship with God.” “I just thought that I learned so many new parallels in the Bible, making it easier for me to notice little patterns in stories that I read.”
Student Reflections
Teacher Reflections: It has been encouraging to hear how students have taken our classroom discussions home and continued them with their parents. I’m excited for the ways that Bible class partners with parents to help students growth in their love for God, their love for others, and their genuine curiosity toward the biblical text.
Teacher Reflection
Southwest Christian High School | Chaska, MN | swchs.org To seek, know, live, and proclaim the Truth.
9th Grade Spanish I STORYLINE Created for Community THROUGHLINES Loved by God, Lover of Others, Image Bearers Kayla Veenstra | k_veenstra@swchs.org
Deep Hope
It is my deep hope that we would value others and reflect God’s love by communicating effectively and creating connections within communities near and far
Learning Target
Students can communicate effectively and graciously about school and their classes in Spanish.
Formational Learning
After learning how to communicate in Spanish about classes that students have and how to describe those classes, students wrote a note of encouragement to a teacher who they really appreciate. Students wrote in both Spanish and English so that their message would be clear but also to promote teaching others Spanish as well as using their language skills to create connections beyond the Spanish classroom.
Student Reflections
“It made me feel happy to be able to bless someone in a way I wouldn’t have thought of before.” “Using my school work to bring joy to someone else brings joy to me, especially since I know my teacher will appreciate the card” “It made me feel good to know that I blessed someone through Spanish. I felt that the schoolwork I was doing had a bigger purpose than just a basic 5 minute assignment”
Learning a different language is challenging, and more so producing it for other eyes to see beyond our classroom. Recognizing that we are created for community involves a willingness to be pushed out of one’s comfort zone and look for opportunities to value others. Students practiced this in using their language skills about their classes to communicate positively to a teacher and provide words of encouragement. Students were really nervous at first but overall grateful to make someone’s day better and recognize they could do this even with limited language abilities.
Teacher Reflection
Southwest Christian High School | Chaska, MN | swchs.org To seek, know, live, and proclaim the Truth.
Spanish 2
STORYLINE Created for Community THROUGHLINES Loved by God, Lovers of Others Image Bearers Kristie Groen | k_groen@swchs.org Kayla Veenstra | k_veenstra@swchs.org
Deep Hope
It is my deep hope that we value others and reflect God’s love by communicating effectively and creating connections within communities near and far.
Learning Target
I can write in Spanish about my past experiences. I can get to know a pen pal in a Spanish-speaking country.
Students acted as ambassadors of their own culture and learned more about the experience of students in Colombia and Guatemala. They practiced being gracious communicators as they exchanged letters with other language learners. The first step asked participants to introduce themselves and share about a cultural celebration in their second language. The second step asked participants to respond to each other’s letters in their first language.
Formational Learning
Writing this encourages me to have empathy for everyone having trouble learning a new language.” “I get to love others by asking questions and showing that I am interested in their lives and learning their native language.” “Many times I find myself thinking that people’s lives are so different from mine. I thought it was really cool to recognize how many similarities we have despite the different backgrounds we come from.”
Student Reflections
It was fun to see students work carefully to write their letters since they knew a native speaker would receive it. This project invited them to live out our deep hope by using the Spanish language skills they acquired this year to build relationships with others. I think the letter exchange also helped students gain cultural awareness and break some stereotypes since they discovered they have a lot more in common with their pen pals than they expected.
Teacher Reflection
Southwest Christian High School | Chaska, MN | swchs.org To seek, know, live, and proclaim the Truth.