At Richland Academy we view our children as strong, capable, competent, and full of potential, we don’t restrict their ability to grow. They are “equipped with extraordinary potentials for learning”.
When we have this image of the child, we also need to give them the right to construct their own learning experience. When students are genuinely curious about something they are more inclined to want to learn more about it. This is where provocations come into play.
What are provocations? They are simply activities or stimuli set up to provoke curiosity, thought, and discussion. They should be open-ended and provide a means for a child to express their own ideas.
When learning provocations are offered, children will be absorbed in their explorations and learning. Their enthusiasm for school and learning grows. They become more confident in sharing their thinking.
As an IB school, provocations are inextricably linked to the “big ideas” that form the units of inquiry in the IB program. The students are given open-ended questions, the provocations, on which to explore and come to their own conclusions.