Spicewood Elementary School Throughout all IB programs in RRisd, students develop skills that have relevance across the curriculum that help them “learn how to learn”. These 21st century skills, or what we call Approaches to Learning, help students become better critical thinkers and problem solvers who are ready to take action in our innovative and ever changing world.
self-management – research – communication – social – thinking
The development of these skills (self-management, research, communication, social, thinking) is age appropriate and provide students with several opportunities to learn, practice and apply them in a multitude of situations. The most effective way to develop these skills is to present students with a wide-range of experiences in all subject areas within the classroom, in addition to exploring these skills during time spent in the library, Spanish, and other specials classes (art, music, and PE).
Spanish
Second grade students are working on their communication skills (non-verbal, listening, and speaking) in Spanish by sharing sentences with a friend. 
PE
In Kindergarten, students are working on their self-management skills (safety, gross and fine motor) during the Alphabet Relay Race. In addition to these skills, our intentional PE coaches are making authentic connections to all of the letter exploration that is being done in the classroom.
How can you support your child’s development of these skills at home?
- Print off our Approaches to Learning placement and keep on hand when reflecting with your child about their day (all students have and use these in their classrooms on a day to day basis)
- Learn more about these skills through the lens of a PYP student
- Share with your child ways in which you utilize a few of these skills in your work/every day life