What are YOUR 7 essential survival skills for the 21st Century?

(you can use Wagners 7,

create your own, or a mashup of the two.) Define the skills as you understand them.
What could incorporating these skills look like in your class or school? What can you
commit to in your classroom/school this year? How will you measure your success?

I remember thinking to myself, ABSOLUTELY! after reading Wagners 7 Survival Skills

(2008, p. 67). I thought they were well thought out and I could certainly relate to all of them.
With that being said, I would like to further explain the significance of these rules and how I use
each of them in my classroom. As you will see, I have included all of these skills in my
classroom already and I will continue to use these skills in one way or another throughout my
years of teaching.

1. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

One of my favorite concepts about critical thinking and problem solving is the idea of being
original. In other words, there is not just one way to think but it is driving the students to think
outside of the box. With such steps of thinking, the result may be completely original or added to
an initial thought. In additional, it is proof to the students that they can think imaginatively and
never assume that there is only one way to solve or think about a problem. I use problem solving
at the end of almost every math lesson. I enjoy using critical thinking in creative writing lessons
or journaling topics.

2. Collaboration Across Networks and Leading by Influence

There are some kids born with the skill of leadership. So I have experienced working with
students, it comes naturally to take charge with positive influence. However, for those who are
better teammates then leaders, working with others can help influence all students to be
leaders. For example, working in a group for a specific activity, the teacher may ask students to
rotate being the leader or speaker. Rather than only one student taking charge. The strongest
leader in the group should preferably start first so then the other students can replicate the skills
they hear and see from their peers. Collaboration is also a significant skill that students can use
to share new ideas.

3. Agility and Adaptability

In any workplace or new school, it is likely that students will have to adjust to a change. Change can
be something minor such as a change in schedule times. Or maybe a bigger change such as
enrolling at a new school or job. The point is, we as teachers need to teach our students to adapt to
change with agility. I use these skills in my classroom by establishing a routine from the beginning of
the school year. By the minute, everything is scheduled and all transition periods are practiced to
perfection. This is creating a pattern or foundation of discipline that goes along with my expectations.
When there are situations that are not part of the everyday schedule such as a pep rally, assembly,
or a guest speaker. Students are able to transition their focus to the new change and readapt to the
practiced routine.

4. Take Initiative
Again going back to the skill of learning how to lead, that also comes with the skill of taking initiative.
The title of a leader is positive and motivating. However, with being a leader comes responsibilities
such as taking initiative in positive or negative situations. Some examples of what that looks like is
being the first one participating in discussions or role modeling how to transition well even when their
friends are continuing to play. A negative situation may be friends arguing outside in the playground
and the student jumps in the middle of the argument to help recuperate their friendship. This year I
had a very competitive class when it came to sports and playing outside for recess. I constantly had
to remind them when a friend would overreact due to a loss, be that bigger person or take initiative
and walk way instead of yell back.

5. Effective Written and Oral Communication

Out of all 7 skills, I think communication is most important! Unfortunately from what Ive noticed
in kids and especially preteens, they do not know how to respectively talk to adults. Ive seen
kids yell and use terrible language to their elders. I think to myself, maybe they dont know any
better from what they are used to at home? Or maybe they choose to speak that way because
they lack confidence? How I enforce this in my classroom maybe a little excessive but I have
gotten nothing but positive feedback from staff members and parents. I use the example of the
way I talk to students. I dont slouch or mumble, I speak with confidence in my words and use
eye contact to show my attention is theirs. Usually standing up tall with appropriate body
language. I ask my students to do the same thing I show them. If we are in a class discussion
and they are in their seats, I ask students to stand up when they speak to me or any adult. This
was my first year trying this and it worked great! I noticed my students not only speaking to me
clearly but the routine is so installed in their brain that they do it naturally even outside of school.

6. Accessing and Analyzing Information

The extent of analyzing and accessing information is a continues skill that develops overtime. I
wouldnt expect my fourth grade students to deeply analyze extensive equations and advanced
problems that seem easy to understand to me. However, I think students can analyze
information by using skills they have learned. For example, a student is given a case study on
two kids and the student is required to compare and contrast details from both studies. As soon
as my students hear compare an contrast, they automatically think venn diagram because thats
what they were taught. Or if students are trying to understand a passage but there too many
unfamiliar words for them to understand the passage. Students can use context clues which is
the information around the difficult words to help them understand as well.

7. Curiosity and Imagination

Again going back to the idea of thinking outside of the box using critical thinking skills, students
are able to practice using their imagination and curiosity. The beauty of open ended questions is
that students can create a variety of results that may also connect with their peers. I use this in
my classrooms a majority of the time with big projects. Although it drives some of my parents
frustrated, I PURPOSLY make very general expectations when it comes to projects. For
example, I will ask for a list of things/content I am looking for and the rest is up to the students to
figure out. How they place the information or how they would like to present is up to them as
long as they include the guidelines that is asked. This allows students to push their creativity and
imagination. As their teacher, I really enjoy the different results as it shows me a variety of ways
that connected with each individual student.