MODEL

Portrait of a Learner PK-3

Systems Change
Portrait of a Learner PK-3

About This Model

The goals for the earliest learners are to explore and learn about the world around them, to be active members in the classroom and other environments, to engage with new knowledge, and to set the stage for lifelong learning. Understanding the Learner Factors and strategies that impact 21st-century skills and how they connect to each other can help you build tools and lessons that support all learners.

Our research highlights several key themes about 21st-century skills at the PK-3 level

Curious and Creative learning lay the foundation for academic success

Children are naturally curious, developing questions about the world and themselves. This ability should be honored and fostered throughout schooling.

A Learner Mindset allows young learners to explore, experiment, and discover at school and beyond.

  • Supporting young learners in playful open ended activities, and fostering a growth mindset, allows them to deeply engage in their learning.

Students are engaging with academic content in powerful new ways

Students come to school with vast Background Knowledge and are eager to connect this to new knowledge.

  • Learners whose Identities and cultural practices are reflected in the class are better able to make connections to their lives and engage in their learning.

Young learners are building fluency with Core Academic Literacies. Over time they will develop schema that will help them apply this knowledge in new contexts and see connections across disciplines, and to engage problem solving and Critical Thinking skills.

  • Extending learning beyond the classroom, for instance through field trips, can support Creativity, empowering learners to see how classroom concepts exist in the real world and help young students develop new ideas for using that knowledge.

Students are learning to become active collaborative members of the classroom and society

Students are beginning to find their place and role in their classroom, and community, and learn how to negotiate and collaborate with peers.

  • Modeling, encouraging, and empowering students to become responsible for their own learning and to self-advocate for their needs gives them agency and supports a Learner Mindset.

Learners need a safe and supportive learning environment where they feel free to think about and discuss challenging topics.

  • Discussing emotions and building empathy can help students better understand their own Identity and consider differences and similarities across their community, as well as consider ideas of fairness and justice, supporting their early Civic Mindedness.

The Research Behind This Model

To create each Learner Variability Project Learner Model, we follow a systematic methodology led by our expert researchers. The process is also overseen by an advisory board of leading content area and learning sciences experts.

Advisory Board for Portrait of a Learner PK-3

These leading researchers supported the development of the Portrait of a Learner PK-3 Learner Model.

Dr. Craig S. Bailey

Assistant Professor, Yale University: Child Study Center

Dr. Ximena Dominguez

Executive Director of Learning Sciences and Early Learning Research, Digital Promise Global

Dr. Jamie J. Jirout

Associate Professor, University of Virginia: School of Education and Human Development

Dr. Tia N. Barnes

Associate Professor, University of Delaware: Human Development & Family Sciences

Dr. R. Keith Sawyer

Morgan Distinguished Professor of Educational Innovations, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: School of Education

Dr. Shelby Clark

Principal Investigator, Harvard University: Project Zero

Dr. Anahid S. Modrek

Assistant Professor, California State University Bakersfield: Department of Psychology
Portrait of a Learner PK-3

Curious and Creative learning lay the foundation for academic success

Children are naturally curious, developing questions about the world and themselves. This ability should be honored and fostered throughout schooling.

A Learner Mindset allows young learners to explore, experiment, and discover at school and beyond.

  • Supporting young learners in playful open ended activities, and fostering a growth mindset, allows them to deeply engage in their learning.

Students are engaging with academic content in powerful new ways

Students come to school with vast Background Knowledge and are eager to connect this to new knowledge.

  • Learners whose Identities and cultural practices are reflected in the class are better able to make connections to their lives and engage in their learning.

Young learners are building fluency with Core Academic Literacies. Over time they will develop schema that will help them apply this knowledge in new contexts and see connections across disciplines, and to engage problem solving and Critical Thinking skills.

  • Extending learning beyond the classroom, for instance through field trips, can support Creativity, empowering learners to see how classroom concepts exist in the real world and help young students develop new ideas for using that knowledge.

Students are learning to become active collaborative members of the classroom and society

Students are beginning to find their place and role in their classroom, and community, and learn how to negotiate and collaborate with peers.

  • Modeling, encouraging, and empowering students to become responsible for their own learning and to self-advocate for their needs gives them agency and supports a Learner Mindset.

Learners need a safe and supportive learning environment where they feel free to think about and discuss challenging topics.

  • Discussing emotions and building empathy can help students better understand their own Identity and consider differences and similarities across their community, as well as consider ideas of fairness and justice, supporting their early Civic Mindedness.

Next:

Students are engaging with academic content in powerful new ways

View Theme 2

Next:

Students are learning to become active collaborative members of the classroom and society

View Theme 3

Next:

Curious and Creative learning lay the foundation for academic success

View Theme 1
Portrait of a Learner PK-3

Curious and Creative learning lay the foundation for academic success

Children are naturally curious, developing questions about the world and themselves. This ability should be honored and fostered throughout schooling.

A Learner Mindset allows young learners to explore, experiment, and discover at school and beyond.

  • Supporting young learners in playful open ended activities, and fostering a growth mindset, allows them to deeply engage in their learning.

Students are engaging with academic content in powerful new ways

Students come to school with vast Background Knowledge and are eager to connect this to new knowledge.

  • Learners whose Identities and cultural practices are reflected in the class are better able to make connections to their lives and engage in their learning.

Young learners are building fluency with Core Academic Literacies. Over time they will develop schema that will help them apply this knowledge in new contexts and see connections across disciplines, and to engage problem solving and Critical Thinking skills.

  • Extending learning beyond the classroom, for instance through field trips, can support Creativity, empowering learners to see how classroom concepts exist in the real world and help young students develop new ideas for using that knowledge.

Students are learning to become active collaborative members of the classroom and society

Students are beginning to find their place and role in their classroom, and community, and learn how to negotiate and collaborate with peers.

  • Modeling, encouraging, and empowering students to become responsible for their own learning and to self-advocate for their needs gives them agency and supports a Learner Mindset.

Learners need a safe and supportive learning environment where they feel free to think about and discuss challenging topics.

  • Discussing emotions and building empathy can help students better understand their own Identity and consider differences and similarities across their community, as well as consider ideas of fairness and justice, supporting their early Civic Mindedness.