The IB Learner Profile

The IB Learner Profile are attributes we strive to have as learners.

Learner Profile of the Month

September: Risk Taker

To be a risk-taker is to be resourceful and to try new things. In our goal to develop lifelong learners, we hope that students develop this characteristic in their learning and their approach to life. At school, we encourage students to be open to making mistakes in their learning and to be ready to try new things. At home, ways to help your child develop the characteristic of being a risk taker is to encourage your child to try new things, to share his/her ideas even if they are different from others’, and to make mistakes and learn from them.

I am brave when I try new things.

October: Principled

To be principled is to have integrity and be honest. In our goal to develop global thinkers, we encourage students to show respect for the rights of people everywhere and take responsibility for their actions and consequences. At home, you can help your child develop the characteristic of being principled by encouraging your child to be honest even when they have made a poor choice, by accepting responsibility for their choices, and by doing the right thing even when nobody is watching.

I tell the truth and do the right thing.

November: Caring

To be caring is to show empathy, compassion and respect. We encourage students to have a commitment to service and to make a positive difference in the lives of others. At home, you can help your child develop the characteristic of being caring by encouraging your child to be respectful, to be compassionate and to be positive to others.

I take care of the people and things in my world.

December: Communicator

To be a communicator is to express oneself confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We are able to work with others effectively and listen to other perspectives carefully.  We encourage students to communicate appropriately at school using their words and actions. They use these skills at recess, in the cafeteria and in their classrooms. At home, you can help your child develop the characteristic of being a communicator by encouraging your child to use his/her words to express him or herself, to listen to other people, and to share his or her ideas.

I share my ideas and listen when others have something to say.

January: Reflective

To be reflective is to thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experiences. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to learn and grow. At school, we encourage students to reflect on their learning, to identify their hopes and dreams and how they will achieve them, and to consider what they do well and areas where they can grow stronger. At home, you can help your child develop the characteristic of being reflective by asking the following type of questions: What did you like about it?  What went well?  What would you change? What strategies could you use to improve?

I think about my ideas and try to make them better.

February: Thinker

To be a thinker is to use creative and critical thinking skills to take responsible action on complex issues. Ways that we promote this attribute is to provide meaningful lessons where they learn new things, provide students with opportunities to ask questions and to reflect on their own learning. At home you can help your child develop the attribute of being a thinker by having him/her make decisions about whether they like or dislike something and why, look at different points of view about a topic, and have them explain something they have learned. Questions to help them include:

• How do you know?
• What was your favorite thing you learned today?
• Was that a good book? Why?
• How could you do it differently?

I think and try to solve problems in my world.

March: Open-minded

To be open-minded is to appreciate our own cultures and the cultures and traditions of others. We recognize and evaluate different perspectives and grow from our experiences . Ways that we promote being open-minded is by respecting our classmates and their values and traditions, listening to different points of view and sharing new ideas. At home you can help your child develop the attribute of being open-minded by discussing different cultures and traditions, exposing your child to people with different experiences, and appreciating each person’s uniqueness. You can also encourage him/her to consider new ideas and evaluate that idea. Questions to help them include:

• Why do you think the character did that? (After reading a story)
• What do you think of this new idea?

April: Knowledgeable

The April Learner Profile characteristic is “knowledgeable.” To be knowledgeable is to develop big ideas, explore knowledge across a variety of subjects, and engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance. We promote being knowledgeable at school by having students explore a variety of topics in each of the subject areas and apply the knowledge they learn to new situations. Students also participate in the fine arts and Spanish language program to enhance their learning. At home you can help your child develop the attribute of being knowledgeable by asking him/her questions about what he/she has learned, encouraging your child to learn new subjects and to apply their learning in new situations. Questions to help them include:

• What is something new you learned today that you didn’t know yesterday?
• Why is that knowledge (or what you learned) important to you? To our community? To the world?
• What is something new you want to learn about?
• What is the most interesting thing you learned today?

I understand and learn about many different things.

May: Inquirer

The May Learner Profile characteristic is “inquirer.”

To be an inquirer is to nurture our curiosity and develop skills for inquiry and research. We want to learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life. Ways that we promote this attribute is to encourage questioning, provide opportunities for research, and to get them excited about learning. At home you can help your child develop the attribute of being an inquirer by modeling questions, encouraging him/her to ask questions, and to help him/her find answers to questions. Questions to help them include:

• What is something you’re wondering?
• What are you passionate about learning?
• How could you find out answers to your questions?

I am curious and like to ask questions in order to learn more.

June: Balanced

The June Learner Profile characteristic is “balanced.” To be balanced is to understand the intellectual  physical and emotional aspects of our lives to achieve well-being. We recognize our interdependence with other people and the world in which we live.  Ways that we promote this attribute at school is to provide students with a well rounded education that includes music, art, physical education and Spanish, in addition to the core academic areas. We also have counseling lessons regularly to teach students strategies for their emotional well-being.  At home you can help your child develop the attribute of being balanced by having him/her spend some time reading and some time playing outside or with puzzles or building blocks. Children can also help with making meals for the family and with other chores at home. Ask your child to talk about their feelings and discuss appropriate ways to express them. Questions to help them include:

• How do you feel?
• What is a new activity you want to try?
• What are your interests?

I am interested in a lot of different things.