That’s how it should be. Let them know their backyard before they know the world. Let them make sense of the now before introducing them to former wars and key figures.

You asked:
what is the intended result of that experience with perspective? In other words (using design terms here) what would it look like for students to “transfer” that experience to other ones?

Perspective is one of the key concepts that we work on each year with our students so we find that they transfer that idea easily from each year level. We practice looking at issues from various angles and you’ll often here our students say things like “I wonder what someone in another school thinks?” or “Do they do that in other countries?” Currently we are looking (as we are discussing here) at opening up our dialogue through blogs, skype, etc and using technology to broaden our idea of perspective. We are still using our international community members, parents and student friends in other schools as our base for perspectives.

You also asked:
What sorts of conversations do y’all have with your teachers to encourage their thinking about perspective in the community, at home, at the playground, etc.

During our planning meetings, one of the questions that we consider when thinking of learning engagements is how to ensure that there is a global perspective in every unit we are addressing. While it is strongest in our science/social studies inquiry units, we are working toward including that conversation in the language and math that we do outside those inquiry units. For example, we might read the same story but with a different perspective (think three little pigs or the cinderella story) to see how other cultures look at the same story. For math we are considering making connections with the Singapore math to stimulate why a different approach might be used in that system than in the one they are currently using.

And you also asked:
Is that the nature of inquiry? Or do those conversations have to be more direct?

Well, I believe they definitely have to be more direct, as you can see from our planning meeting conversations, but they tend to come out naturally in the students because they’ve been working with these ideas and concepts since PreKinder. Most of the time, they don’t realise that they are discussing perspective until it is pointed out to them.

As with everything, we are always working to improve this in our curriculum but I am really proud that it is one of the basic concepts that we keep in the forefront of our minds!

Whew…you really made me work there!

So at a larger level, what is the intended result of that experience with perspective? In other words (using design terms here) what would it look like for students to “transfer” that experience to other ones? Another aspect of this whole idea is to “make school life”, or probably better put, “make life school”. What sorts of conversations do y’all have with your teachers to encourage their thinking about perspective in the community, at home, at the playground, etc.

Many students learn math and leave that math at school. It’s something that they “do” but not apply across their life.

Since we’re talking about prepping our kids for healthier lives in 3rd, 4th and beyond, how specifically do y’all prepare them to gain perspective everywhere?

Is that the nature of inquiry? Or do those conversations have to be more direct?

I am the curriculum coordinator but I will put you in touch with our Technology Integration Specialist for grade two and we can see what we can work out in terms of collaboration.

Just to give you and idea of how perspective in our curriculum works (and give you an idea of an upcoming grade 2 unit for collaboration!) we will be shortly inquiring about the nature of self and relationships. The students will be inquiring on the elements that are necessary for a balanced and healthy life based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. From that basis, students will look into their personal needs and how those needs are shaped by their family, where they go to school, and where they live. As part of their investigations, they will be practicing looking at needs and relationships of others in different contexts (perspectives) around the world. What families look like around the world, what constitutes a grown up around the world, what is independence for children around the world, etc.

It would be great if we could get together with your class and see how our classes are similar and different!

Does that help illustrate the idea of perspective as well? We are hopefully building emotionally learning in our students at the same time; helping them be tolerant and empathetic to others and other situations.

Could you give me an example of a learning experience where multiple perspectives would be activated?

Does your classroom have a skype account? I just signed up to skype education at http://education.skype.com/users/14710. Maybe our students could gain some perspective together!

Two birds with one stone eh? : )

Thanks for your response!

My answer is situated within my context. While it is certainly easy and trendy to answer your question with “21st century skills,” I believe there are two that are of the utmost importance (which are two key ones that our curriculum focuses on!): Perspective and Collaboration. While I agree students need to have knowledge or content, I think focusing on these two skills will help your students find and successfully use any content they encounter.

From my own experience living abroad, many people lack the ability to see issues/information/concepts from multiple perspectives. If you are concerned about preparing your students for their future, then they must have this skill in our increasingly flat world. As our global community continues to grow, our students need to know how to recognise bias, critically think about information they encounter, and act appropriately while respecting opinions. Without this skill, how will your students effectively problem solve in the future?

They also need to be able to collaborate-face to face and online. Being a user of technology and part of the blogging world, you know the importance and value of being able to work with others to discuss, share, and create knowledge. It is the essence of the internet now and in the future. Without that skill, how successful can they be in a knowledge economy?

Good luck and I look forward to seeing what you plan to teach!