Life skills

Flexibility
Given the rapid rate of change in our world, the ability to adjust and adapt is
critical to success. Students needs to learn to quickly analyze what is going on
around them and make adjustments on the fly—all the while keeping their goals at
the forefront of their minds. Flexibility is not spinelessness. In fact, a spine needs
to be flexible to allow the person to move while remaining upright with eyes on the
prize.
The inquiry process requires and rewards flexibility. Instead of following a set course or a
Liceria & Co.
rigid set of instructions, students must make constant course corrections as they do the
following:

• Set goals • Create something

• Seek answers • Evaluate their work
• Navigate information • Improve it
• Collaborate with others • Share it with the world
Leadership
Leadership is a suite of related skills that combines the other life skills. Good
leaders take initiative, have strong social skills, are flexible, and are
productive. They also do the following:
• Identify goals
• Inspire others to share those goals
• Organize a group so that all members can contribute according to their abilities
• Resolve conflicts among members
• Encourage the group to reach their goals
• Help group members solve problems and improve performance
• Give credit where it is due
That list pretty well describes what you do daily as a teacher—because you are the leader of
your class. However, if students are perpetually in the role of followers, they never have to
learn these skills. They need to occasionally become the teacher, and inquiry allows them to
do so. Group projects also require students to take on leadership responsibilities. Inquire
provides many projects that can be done in groups.
 Initiative
The entrepreneurial spirit is founded on initiative—the willingness to step
forward with an idea and take the risk of bringing it to fruition. The changing
economic landscape requires entrepreneurs. Students need to learn how to
set goals for themselves, plan how they will reach their goals, and enact their
plans. Once students feel comfortable with charting their own course, they
will readily launch into activity.
By teaching students the inquiry process, you equip them to take initiative. When you
step back into a facilitating role, you require students to step forward. Students take
the initiative when they
• question, • improve, and
• plan, • present.
• research,
• create,