1. Ensure that curricula are designed to produce deep understanding and authentic application of 21st century skills. This by definition will enable the development of 21st century skills; curricula should include models for appropriate learning activities that accomplish 21st century skills outcomes.
1.1. Core Subjects & 21st Century Themes
1.1.1. Global Awareness
1.1.1.1. Use current events as a basis for social studies instruction
1.1.1.2. Find penpals from around the world on sites like ePals
1.1.1.3. Encourage students to learn another language or pursue a dual language classroom instruction
1.1.2. Financial, Economic, Business & Entreprenuerial Literacy
1.1.2.1. Create a classroom economy
1.1.3. Civic Literacy
1.1.3.1. Take part in mock elections
1.1.3.2. Create student government school or classroom wide
1.1.4. Health Literacy
1.1.4.1. Invite community personnel in health occupations to speak
1.1.4.2. Encourage movement and exercise throughout the day
1.1.4.3. Ban unhealthy foods from the school and have students explain why in a community letter
1.1.5. Environmental Literacy
1.1.5.1. Relate current enviornmental issues into science curicullum
1.1.5.2. Discover a local enviornmental issue to research and take action upon
1.2. Learning & Innovation Skills
1.2.1. Creativity & Innovation
1.2.1.1. Incorporate art or digital art into writing projects
1.2.1.2. Develop project-based learning experiences
1.2.2. Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
1.2.2.1. Ask "why" five times
1.2.2.2. Design higher level thinking questions using Bloom's levels
1.2.3. Communication & Collaboration
1.2.3.1. Think "teams' not groups
1.2.3.2. Redesign the classroom into pods
1.2.3.3. Create a communication online place through sites such as Edmodo or KidBlog
1.3. Information, Technology & Media Skills
1.3.1. Information Literacy
1.3.1.1. Teach and model correct use of citing and copyright
1.3.1.2. Have students always cite sources
1.3.1.3. Unit on choosing trustworthy sources, given some misinformation
1.3.2. Media Literacy
1.3.2.1. Commercials on TV unit
1.3.3. ICT Literacy
1.3.3.1. Set and follow strict usage policies school-wide
1.3.3.2. Encourage "Bring Your Own Device"
1.3.3.3. Utilize technology available daily
1.4. Life & Career Skills
1.4.1. Flexibility & Adaptability
1.4.1.1. Have students solve their problems by talking through them
1.4.1.2. Give constructive criticism and help students process it
1.4.2. Inivative & Self-Direction
1.4.2.1. Give deadlines and a checklist to keep students moving toward a goal
1.4.2.2. Keep a daily agenda of assignments
1.4.2.3. Have enrichment options available at all times for early finishers
1.4.3. Social & Cross-Cultural Skills
1.4.3.1. Incorporate cultural discussions into current events
1.4.3.2. Have students from different cultures present and share some traditions
1.4.3.3. Use ePals to learn about other cultures
1.4.4. Productivity & Accountability
1.4.4.1. Set monthly goals with steps to complete them
1.4.5. Leadership & Responsibilty
1.4.5.1. Adopt a school-wide character based curriculum for guidance and create monthly awards to give during an assembly where parents and community are invited