Here’s a simple activity:

It can be used to explore the IB Learner Profile, texts studied in class, and students’ wider reading. It can work as a ‘getting to know you activity’, or it may be used as a way of revising literary texts for an exam. If it is used to prompt discussion of wider reading, the activity can function as a catalyst for students to recommend books to their peers.

To begin, ask students to list the ten traits or competencies that are included in the IB Learner Profile. This may be done individually, but may work better in pairs or in small groups. Collectively, the class should work to complete the list.

Here is is:

When this is done, students should then be asked to explicate what each of the attributes means, and perhaps students can be encouraged to share examples of where and when they have witnessed the Learner Profile in action. It can be useful to explore precisely why the traits of the Learner Profile are, apparently, highly valued; who determines these values?

From here, students should be asked to turn their attention to literature, either to class texts, or to books read more generally. Ask the students to identify characters in their reading who exhibit the traits of the learner profile. Ensure students support their claims with examples.

It may be the case that students find this task challenging. They may have limited experience of reading. Alternatively, students may find that it is difficult to find wholesome characters in literature; if this is the case, it is surely an idea worth pursuing.