Higher Order Thinking (HOT) Schools is a program of the Connecticut State Department of Economic & Community Development, Office of the Arts. ©2026 HOT Schools™
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Democratic Practice
VOICE, CHOICE, PARTICIPATION, OPPORTUNITY & RESPONSIBILITY
HOT Schools cultivate a school culture in which purposeful activities support choice, participation, connection, contribution, and responsibility, to celebrate the unique voice of each member of the school community.
Democratic Practice Overview/Roles
Democratic Practice In HOT Schools
- An active and supportive parent presence is evident
- Ongoing, strong, and active dialogues and partnerships are developed between the school, community, and cultural resources
- Parents and community members are partners in the educational process of their children
Students
- Are active citizens who make authentic connections between learning and life
- Take responsibility for their own learning and behavior
- Embrace participation and invite contributions from all other students
- Are actively engaged in goal setting and assessing their learning
- Take pride in and are eager to share their work and the work of their peers
Teachers
- Model active citizenry and a commitment to personal/professional growth
- Take responsibility for their own actions and for their personal growth
- Serve as mentors to other teachers
- Empower students to make authentic connections between learning and life
- Authorize students to take responsibility for their own learning
- Provide opportunities for students to define shared values and set goals individually and collaboratively
Leaders
- Create and sustain an environment that encourages active citizenry, shared decision making, and goal setting on all levels
- Encourage and support leadership initiatives that maintain positive school climates
- Provide Leadershops, sharing unique ways and new approaches developed at each school that can be shared with teachers in other schools to adapt to their own school culture
Teaching Artists
- Participate in professional development for their personal/professional growth
- Provide opportunities that encourage voice, choice, participation and responsibility when engaged in a Teacher Artist Collaboration (TAC)
HOT Schools Song Lyrics
We are the paintbrush on the canvas
We are the beat and the drum
We are the clay that makes the masterpiece
The rainbow and the sun
A collage in different patterns
We are living history
We are explosions of creation
Electricity
We are the authors of our story
Words on every page
We are the dance and the dancer
Taking center stage
We are looking for adventure
Footsteps on the moon
We are the song and the singer
Singing our own tune
H-O-T
Higher Order Thinking
Think about things differently
A-R-T
Spells a deeper understanding
Creating our community
We are the pieces and the puzzle
Every part has a home
When we all fit together
The big picture is known
We are the faces from different places
We are connected to the world
We are learning from each other
As the years unfurl
H-O-T
Higher Order Thinking
Think about things differently
A-R-T
Spells a deeper understanding
Creating our community
Put yourself out there
See what you can do
Step into the spotlight
Try something new
We all have a choice, choice, choice
We all have a voice, voice, voice
Every day we have a choice, choice, choice
Everyone a special voice, voice, voice
Proud of who we are
Different yet the same
Share what we learn from
The chances that we take
Let us hear your voice . . .
HOT Schools Quote
“The HOT School democracy model is what sets HOT Schools apart. Amazing things happen when children are given an opportunity to have a say in how their day is organized! ...The growth in confidence and personal esteem that comes to both students and staff (is evident) when the arts have a legitimate place as core curriculum components.”
Janet Yuse, educational consultant and former HOT school principal
