I really want this nagging to go away. It’s been going on for months, maybe ever since the American Presidential campaign, maybe for even longer. But as time passes, it has become more apparent that I have the opportunity to change the future as an educator. Yet I wonder if IÂ have the courage to …
The Programme of Inquiry is a living document. So it’s not a surprise that around this time of year, many PYP coordinators are getting staff to hover around the Programme of Inquiry, taking a critical stance into the what and how we do teaching and learning in the classroom. Often times we thumb through the guide …
Do you ever think we will go back in time? Let me explain. I was listening to a Seth Godin’s podcast (I See You) about the danger of creating “average” humans, and he takes out some big punches at educational systems. Retelling the myth of Icarus, we come to understand why our culture derides people who dare …
I am stuck on the question from the #EmpowerBook: What Decisions Am I Making For Students That They Could Make For Themselves? And I am staring at this image inspired by the book Dive Into Inquiry, wondering what part of the pool are we swimming in at this part of the unit of inquiry: When I am thinking about …
My student stood agog: “Wow, you type so fast! How do you do that?” I looked down at my keyboard and then back at my student. Do I even bother to explain the QWERTY keyboard set up and how I learned to type to my 1st grader? I mean, will the keyboard even exist in the …
I was scrambling down the stairs when a bounding 5-year old announces  “It’s class time! It’s class time!” He leapfrogged from one group of scattered students to the next with his broadcast. As I made my way to the canteen, hurrying to grab a cup of coffee, I noticed that the duty teacher was patrolling the …
We have begun a unit of inquiry that could be considered a “slam-dunk”- an easy to teach unit with a clear summative task: designing a home. Here’s the central idea and lines of inquiry for this Where We Are in Place in Time: Homes reflect cultural influences and local conditions. what makes a home how homes reflect local …
Let me be clear, I am biased. I wholeheartedly agree with the Nobel-Prize winning quantum scientist, Richard Feynman, ” The world looks so different after learning science.”  In my mind, this is the greatest argument for scrutinizing our Programme of Inquiry to ensure that are developing scientific literacy. Scientific inquiry naturally challenges and changes you. I have been …
It’s hard not to think about the recent school shooting in America and think about how innovation could benefit schools. These acts of violence are the most extreme case of why we need to change “school as usual” and start creating a paradigm shift in how we think about our school culture and climate. It’s …
“We’re up to 7 now. Sophia brought in a Koala” I nudged my chin into the crook of my husband’s shoulder, destined for sleep. “7! You need a pet manager.”, he suggests. My eyes pop open. I sit up in bed. “Yes, yes we do! That’s a brilliant idea.You’re a genius” Let me tell you …
