This week students have gotten a chance to explore their creative side. They've gotten a chance to discover and to inquire. From Maker Space projects to dance, cross stitch and drama, they've taken risks to inquire. There is a buzz in the air and students engaged. In the art classes, it's calm and quiet, not because a teacher has told them to be quiet, but because they're focused. They can talk about their process and how they got there. They're reflective as they describe the design process in Maker Space and change their minds on their own, realizing things might not work. They're clapping and eyes wide open as an outside drama troupe involves them in a story. They're singing their heart out with passion.

​This week has highlighted the importance of being balanced, taking risks, being open-minded to new challenges and thoughtful. It's encapsulates the learner profile, which is at the heart of all IB learning and something we are striving towards as we head toward authorization.

The IB Learner Profile is one of the PYP's essential elements. It encourages these attributes in our students:

•  Reflective
• Caring
• Inquirer
• Open-minded
• Risk-taker
• Principles
• Thinker
• Balanced
• Knowledgeable
• Communicator

We hope that students have taken away confidence in themselves; we hope that they have been able to express their creativity. We hope that students have had fun and know they can use their interests to drive their learning. This week has been about differentiation and choice. It's what education should be.

For a fascinating Ted Talk from a renowned educational speaker on the importance of creativity and differentiation, check out Ken Robinson's talk on what schools should be focusing on.