Powerful Students

Power is present in all human interactions and it influences the way decisions are made. This is the central idea that Southbank Kensington's Grade 5 has been investigating in their Unit of Inquiry: Power.

The students have explored where power comes from; looking in detail at group dynamics and investigating the power structures of different countries.

The students also took part in some simple personality and learning style assessments and reflected on which kind of roles they often take when in a group.

"Already we can see that the children are becoming empowered by a growing insight into themselves and others," explained teacher Marie Hunter. "We are hoping that we have given them some ways of understanding group dynamics as well as some structures that will enable them to work more constructively in group contexts. This is important for the PYP Grade 5 Exhibition later on in the year, when the children will work for eight weeks within their chosen group. Of course, it is also invaluable lifelong learning."

To inquire in more depth into an aspect of power, the children were asked to form interest groups and then to teach the rest of the class a 10-minute lesson. "The assessment focuses on the children's ongoing reflections on the power dynamics within their working group, but with usual Southbank enthusiasm for research, the students are also trying to find out as much as they can!" said teacher Edwina Hammond. "It's really lovely to see their passion for inquiry. We have one group looking at the power of advertising, one exploring the power of celebrities, one investigating peer pressure, one looking at power structures, one exploring human rights, another one investigating racism and a final one researching drugs. The topics were all chosen by the class and reflect what they perceive to be powerful in the world they grow up in."

The group also enjoyed fieldtrips to Parliament and to City Hall. "The excursion to Parliament, in particular, gave us a fascinating insight into the heart of power within the UK," added Edwina.