Core Competencies

What are Core Competencies?

Core Competencies are the foundation to the Big Ideas, Curricular Competencies, and Content of our BC Curriculum. This foundation ensures that students are always mindful of their growth in the Core Competencies through self-reflection, self-assessment, and providing evidence of growth. 

Core Competencies In Detail

Why Self -Reflection?

Students come to the classroom with experiences and knowledge related to the Core Competencies. Self-assessment allows student to develop the ability to describe their learning in relation to the Core Competencies. They will set goals and gain greater ownership for their learning when they have the opportunity to self-assess and describe who they are as learners, document their progress, and share their accomplishments in an ongoing and holistic manner. The emphasis on self-reflection promotes personalization, inclusion, diversity, and student ownership of learning as it becomes a natural part of the learning process.

Your Self-Reflection

Step 1 – Choose an assignment or project you have completed. If it has not be done, place your project on your blog to document your learning. Below are several great examples of what things you can document and use.

 

Step 2 – At the bottom of you assignment, create a clear heading “Self Reflection”. Categorize your post “Reflections”. Tag your post “Reflections”. 

Step 3 – Take a moment to read all of the competencies listed above. Gain a better understanding of each of them. Now choose 1 competency that you feel best reflects your learning during the project you have chosen. You will write a personal reflection on this competency.

Step 4 – Your self reflection is a description of yourself and your learning in relation to the core competencies. To help you get started, take a look at the sample questions below, they have been separated by each competency. If you are looking for more suggestions of Core Competency Prompts CLICK HERE

Core Competency Prompts

Communication

  • How do you show that you were listening thoughtfully? In what way’s did your listening contribute to the group’s understanding?
  • What are some way’s you like to use to show your learning? What makes (a form they identified) work for you?
  • What do you do when you disagree with someone in your group or discussion? How did you learn/develop that strategy?

Critical Thinking

  • How do you come up with ideas when you want to make something new at school or at home? Tell me about a time when you felt really good about a new idea you had?
  • What helps you get new ideas?
  • What makes you want to get new ideas or try something new?

Creative Thinking

  • How do you come up with ideas when you want to make something new at school or at home? Tell me about a time when you felt really good about a new idea you had.
  • What helps you get new ideas?
  • What make you want to get new idea or try something new?

Social Responsibility

  • How do you use words and actions to encourage other students who might be feeling a bit sad or discouraged?
  • What contribution have you made to our school that you feel good about? How did you get started doing that?

Positive and Personal Cultural Identity

  • What are your strengths as a learner and how do you learn best?
  • What are some aspects that you value about your culture?
  • How do you portray aspects of your cultural contexts in your work? (e.g. through images or words)
  • What are some things about your culture that you a would like other people to know?
  • How do you use your strengths and abilities in you family, relationships, and community?

Personal Awareness and Responsibility

  • Tell me about on of your learning goals. (Prompt: Something you want to get better at or learn how to do.)How did you come to that goal? Tell me about something you are doing to help you work on that goal?
  • What do you do to help yourself when you are feeling a bit discouraged about your work?
  • Think of times when you have to wait. What strategies do you use when you are feeling impatient? How did you develop that strategy? (Prompt: When did you start? How does it work?)

Step 5 – Publish your reflection post

Additional Resources

Supporting the Self-Assessment and Reporting of Core Competencies – Ministry of Education