Our IB learner profile value for the month of March is “Inquirers.” We define this value in the following way:
“We develop or natural curiosity. We acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. We actively enjoy learning and the love of learning will be sustained throughout our lives (IB 2017).”
At Futuro Verde, Constructivism, as a philosophy of education, is the notion that students construct knowledge and understanding out of their experiences. With reflection, the student can assess what they are learning and how their understanding changes over time. By asking questions and exploring, students essentially learn how to learn. With an emphasis on project based and experiential learning, our students get a chance to regularly develop their natural curiosity inside the classroom and throughout their day. This is reinforced during our weekly Peace Practices meeting as we explore different ways to be good inquirers when we come together as a community.
Developing natural curiosity at home can be reinforced by constantly asking questions and encouraging our children to ask questions as well. Helping them expand on their thoughts and ideas can be easy and fun when we ask clarifying questions utilizing the 5 W’s. When we get in this habit with our children, especially from a young age, it trains their brain to seek more information and expand their ideas. How? What? When? Where? Why? These simple words can be a great tool for creating a natural love of learning by engaging in a dialogue and creating conversation that allows for regular expansion of questioning and expression of ideas. With practice at home, being inquisitive at school and throughout life becomes a natural part of how we explore our world and communicate with others.