Dear Parents,
Many would agree that as a nation we are enduring a contentious US Presidential campaign. Despite our best intentions, our children are also perceptive to the intensity of the current political climate. Last week a first grade student provoked a lively lunch table discussion, remarking that he had attended a rally for one of the candidates. While I began feeling slightly nervous about the direction of the conversation, no sooner did a third grade student pose a question to the group. "Ms. Clark, which IB Learner Profile is important for President?" The conversation was lifted and together we took flight, listing several IB Learner Profile traits and how they apply to Presidency.
Here is what I collected from the students at my lunch table:
Risk taker- "Sometimes decisions are not easy, but a President needs to take smart chances for things to get better."
Inquirer- "The President needs to ask good questions to solve difficult problems."
Caring- "Lots of people need help, the President needs to do things to help them. The President needs to be a peacemaker."
Knowledgeable- "The President needs to know all about laws, American history, World history, and lots more."
Communicator- "The President needs get along with others, make tough speeches and speak and listen to people all over the world."
We covered half of the IB Learner Profile, yet I was so impressed with the insightfulness and maturity of my Kindergarten through Grade 5 lunch table students. This kind of engagement is a teaching opportunity for sure. Tomorrow morning, at our All School Gathering I plan to acknowledge my lunch table during Commendations. I will then pose the same question to all K-5 students, asking them to make connections between the awesome responsibility of Presidency with the IB Learner Profile. Afterall, we are working hard to cultivate these qualities in our graduates, with high hopes for their future.
I am also attaching links to websites that I are good resources if you want to talk to your child about the Presidential Elections.
How to Talk to Your Children About the 2016 Presidential Campaign: (note age-appropriateness)
www.parentmap.com/article/how-family-politics-election-2016
Helping Kids Understand the Election:
www.pbs.org/parents/special/election/article-theraceison.html
One final note, please don't forget to vote this Tuesday, Nov. 8th.
Warmest Regards,
Silvana
Many would agree that as a nation we are enduring a contentious US Presidential campaign. Despite our best intentions, our children are also perceptive to the intensity of the current political climate. Last week a first grade student provoked a lively lunch table discussion, remarking that he had attended a rally for one of the candidates. While I began feeling slightly nervous about the direction of the conversation, no sooner did a third grade student pose a question to the group. "Ms. Clark, which IB Learner Profile is important for President?" The conversation was lifted and together we took flight, listing several IB Learner Profile traits and how they apply to Presidency.
Here is what I collected from the students at my lunch table:
Risk taker- "Sometimes decisions are not easy, but a President needs to take smart chances for things to get better."
Inquirer- "The President needs to ask good questions to solve difficult problems."
Caring- "Lots of people need help, the President needs to do things to help them. The President needs to be a peacemaker."
Knowledgeable- "The President needs to know all about laws, American history, World history, and lots more."
Communicator- "The President needs get along with others, make tough speeches and speak and listen to people all over the world."
We covered half of the IB Learner Profile, yet I was so impressed with the insightfulness and maturity of my Kindergarten through Grade 5 lunch table students. This kind of engagement is a teaching opportunity for sure. Tomorrow morning, at our All School Gathering I plan to acknowledge my lunch table during Commendations. I will then pose the same question to all K-5 students, asking them to make connections between the awesome responsibility of Presidency with the IB Learner Profile. Afterall, we are working hard to cultivate these qualities in our graduates, with high hopes for their future.
I am also attaching links to websites that I are good resources if you want to talk to your child about the Presidential Elections.
How to Talk to Your Children About the 2016 Presidential Campaign: (note age-appropriateness)
www.parentmap.com/article/how-family-politics-election-2016
Helping Kids Understand the Election:
www.pbs.org/parents/special/election/article-theraceison.html
One final note, please don't forget to vote this Tuesday, Nov. 8th.
Warmest Regards,
Silvana