EXPERT OPINION thinking skills . These include : Self- Management Skills ( Organization , Affect and Reflection ), Research Skills ( Information and Media Literacy ), Thinking Skills ( Critical Thinking , Creativity and Transfer ), Social Skills ( Collaboration , Empathy ) and Communication Skills ( Listening , Paraphrasing , Speaking and Writing ).
So , with AERO we have a solid , wellresourced backbone to our ‘ what ’ – through the IB we have an effective , research-proven approach that many people feel is the best for developing the whole child .
What qualities do children develop at KIS ? How will they help a new generation in the future set and meet global challenges ?
Our ethos is proudly altruistic . We teach children to inquire critically and creatively , learn enthusiastically and follow their passions . Every student and class will engage in servicelearning projects that have real impact . A few examples that come to mind are the group of ten Grade 10 and 11 students who go to an orphanage every Saturday , volunteering to teach the children English . We have a group of Grade 8 students who wish to reduce educational inequality by fundraising to purchase a set of laptops for a class at a rural school . And , we had a group of Grade 6 students plan and execute a ‘ Random Acts of Kindness ’ week . The seeds of these projects are planted through the self-regulation and agency of Early Years and Elementary School . By the time they get to Middle and High School , our students do some very impressive work . The teachers gush with pride at the commitments our students make . It ’ s great to be a part of this .
How much are children at KIS prepared for modern realities ? In what society will modern children live , love and develop professionally ?
We spend a lot of time in our homeroom / advisory programs talking about the importance of flexibility , agility , selfcare and resilience , and the pandemic is teaching our students much about how to apply those skills . It certainly isn ’ t easy , but our students have far exceeded any reasonable expectation in the past year . To me , the COVID experience serves as a metonym for the future . Upwards of 65 % of the jobs we know of will be automated by 2040 , so we can expect most of our students will be doing jobs that don ’ t exist yet . We simply do not know what the future holds , but I can say with absolute fidelity that I believe the young people at KIS with whom I am privileged to speak every day will be ready for whatever lies ahead . supported by EUROBAK
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