About
Engaged Thinkers and Ethical Citizens with Entrepreneurial Spirits
River Heights Elementary School has been the site of an integrated approach to learning since the fall of 1996. We offer instruction to children from the city of Medicine Hat and the surrounding area. Our school includes students from Kindergarten to Grade Six. The past years have seen the development of a school community characterized by enthusiastic students, energetic and supportive parents working together with teachers and staff to create a positive learning environment. We look forward to a school year full of opportunities and growth! Our beliefs and learning are student-centered and align with the Ministerial Order, where our integrated learning is connected with the 10 Competencies and the 3 E's. A cross-curricular competency is an interrelated set of attitudes, skills and knowledge that are drawn upon and applied to a particular context for successful learning and living. The 10 Competencies are developed by every student, in every grade and across every subject/discipline area: A. Know how to learn B. Think Critically C. Identify and solve complex problems D. Manage information E. Innovate F. Create opportunities G. Apply multiple literacy H. Demonstrate good communication skills and the ability to work cooperatively with others I. Demonstrate global and cultural understanding J. Identify and apply career and life skills At River Heights, we believe in empowering students to take ownership of their learning. Our Independent Checklist for Student Learning was developed collaboratively with staff and students to support this goal. These checklists serve as a tool to help students reflect on their progress, identify strengths, and set personal learning goals. By using the checklist regularly, students develop a deeper understanding of their learning journey and build essential skills for growth, independence, and self-awareness. Our Independent Checklist for Staff works alongside the Independent Checklist for Student Learning to ensure students receive the support they need to grow as learners. These checklists help identify key skills that must be explicitly taught and reinforced in the classroom. As a school community, we collaborate to be responsive to student needs, ensuring our teaching practices align with the skills necessary for student success. This shared approach strengthens our commitment to fostering independent, reflective, and engaged learners.
The Six Thinking Hats
At River Heights School, a project-based learning school, we use De Bono’s 6 Thinking Hats to help students explore ideas and projects from different points of view: White Hat – Facts & Information: What do we know? What do we need to find out? Red Hat – Feelings & Intuition: How do we feel about this idea or issue? Green Hat – Creativity & Possibilities: What new ideas or solutions can we imagine? Black Hat – Caution & Challenges: What problems or risks might we face? Yellow Hat – Benefits & Positives: What are the strengths and advantages? Blue Hat – Process & Reflection: How will we organize our thinking and move forward? By using the 6 Hats, our students learn to think critically, creatively, and collaboratively—skills that enrich their projects and prepare them for real-world problem-solving.