At ISD, we respect students’ ideas and contributions because their input and perspective are valuable components to a collaborative and engaged learning community. Students at ISD actively practice democratic values, understand their rights, and take responsibility for their behavior as both individuals and members of a community.
What does that look like in action?
In Grade 3 this week, students reflected on their Primary learning experiences thus far and thought deeply about what they wanted to achieve this year. They thought about who they are as learners and partook in an activity that demonstrated how metacognition can help them achieve their goals.
A common practice in PYP schools is creating Essential Agreements at the beginning of every year. They are one of the first stones laid in the foundation of democracy in classrooms and set a great tone for a year of learning as a community. This year, grade three came together to create meaningful agreements that are based on respect and caring for each other while agreeing to be active participants throughout their learning journey.
In Kindergarten, democracy begins with mutual respect in forms of taking turns and being aware of others’ wants and needs. In the first weeks, the children were asked to vote on a book they wanted to read next. The children made their choices; the data was shared with them with a visual data chart that was developmentally appropriate for this age group. With these kinds of shared learning experiences, children learn that their input is valued and it inspires them to be engaged contributors to ISD.
In Grade 1, the children were given an opportunity to plan their day and choose when they would have Writing Workshop, Free Inquiry time, and Maths. By giving the children an opportunity to voice their opinions and make informed decisions, we create an engaged community of learners who can be held accountable for their contributions.
