Being curious means having a strong desire to learn, understand, or explore new things and different perspectives. It’s a mindset where you seek out answers, ask questions, and actively engage with the world around you. Curious people are open-minded and eager to discover how things work, why they happen, or what lies beyond what they already know. Curiosity fuels creativity, problem-solving, and personal growth, as it encourages you to step outside your comfort zone and explore the unknown. It’s like having an inner drive to never stop learning.
Questions to ask our students to foster the development of this skill:
What do you think will happen if ... ?
How does that work?
Why do you think that is?
What else could we try to solve this?
What do you want to learn more about?
Have you ever wondered ... ?
Can you think of a different way to look at this?
What do you think it would be like if ... ?
How can we test that idea?
What did you notice about that?
Who can we ask to learn more about this?
What do you think would happen if we changed this part?
How do you think that person perceived the situation?
COMMUNITY-ORIENTED
Being community-oriented means having a strong sense of responsibility and care for the well-being of the people around you. It’s about thinking beyond your own needs and focusing on how you can contribute to the collective good. People who are community-minded are engaged in activities that strengthen bonds, promote inclusivity, and help others in their neighborhoods, workplaces, or social circles. It involves empathy, collaboration, and a willingness to support and uplift others, creating a positive environment for everyone involved. Essentially, it’s about prioritizing the health and happiness of the community alongside personal goals.
CRITICAL CONCEPTS:
Care, Contribution, Service, Inclusion, Support, Collective good
Questions to ask our students to foster the development of this skill:
What are the different communities you belong to?
How do you think it feels to be someone in need?
What are some ways we can make someone feel happy today?
Can you think of a time when someone helped you? How did it make you feel?
How can we help people who are feeling sad or lonely?
What do you think makes a community strong?
Why do you think it’s important for people to help each other in our neighborhood?
Who are some of the people who make our community a better place?
What does it mean to be a good neighbor?
Can you think of any ways we can help people who don’t have enough food or clothes?
What are some things we can do for the environment or help keep our community clean?
How can you help our school community?
If you had a chance to volunteer somewhere, what would you like to do to help?
Why do you think it’s important to know what’s happening in our community?
How do you think voting or having a say in decisions can help the community?
How can we learn about what our community needs?
What do you think is the most important thing we can do to make our town or city better?
How can we make sure everyone feels welcome in our community?
How can we connect with people who might not speak the same language or have the same traditions as us?
If you could fix one problem in our community, what would it be and how would you solve it?
SELF-AWARE
Being self-aware means having a clear understanding of your own thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and how they affect both yourself and others. It’s the ability to reflect on who you are, what drives you, and how your actions align with your values. Self-aware people are conscious of their strengths and weaknesses, and they recognize patterns in their reactions or decision-making. This awareness allows them to make intentional choices, improve relationships, and grow personally. It also means being open to feedback and using it as an opportunity for self-improvement.
CRITICAL CONCEPTS:
Reflection, Feedback and Growth, Choices, Relationships, Knowing Who You Are
Questions to ask our students to foster the development of this skill:
How are you feeling right now?
What makes you happy or sad?
When do you feel proud of yourself?
What can you do when you’re feeling upset or angry?
What can you do when you’re feeling frustrated?
What is something you’re really good at?
If you could do anything you wanted, what would it be?
What do you like about yourself?
What are some things that make you feel confident?
What could you do next time if you feel upset like that again?
How can you calm down when you’re feeling anxious?
What would you do if you made a mistake?
How do you know when you’ve learned something new?
When you’re faced with a challenge, what helps you keep going?
How do you think your actions made others feel?
What would you do if you saw someone feeling left out or sad?
What would you do differently next time in a similar situation?
What does being a good friend mean to you?
What do you do when you think something is unfair?
Why is it important to listen to other people?
What are three things you’re grateful for today?
ACCOUNTABLE
Being accountable means taking responsibility for your actions, decisions, and their outcomes. It involves acknowledging the impact of what you do, being answerable to others (or yourself) for the results, and being willing to own up to mistakes or successes. Accountability also includes following through on commitments, being transparent, and being dependable in fulfilling duties or promises. It’s not just about admitting when things go wrong, but also about recognizing when things go right and being reliable in your efforts and responsibilities. When you’re accountable, you’re trustworthy.
