What are life skills? Life skills equip students to thrive in the classroom and in the world beyond. The 21st century life skills are flexibility, initiative, social skills, productivity, and leadership. Flexibility Given the rapid rate of change in our world, the ability to adjust and adapt is critical to success. Students needs to learn to quickly analyze what is going on around them and make adjustments on the fly—all the while keeping their goals at the forefront of their minds. Flexibility is not spinelessness. In fact, a spine needs to be flexible to allow the person to move while remaining upright with eyes on the prize. The inquiry process requires and rewards flexibility. Instead of following a set course or a rigid set of instructions, students must make constant course corrections as they do the following: set goals seek answers navigate information collaborate with others create something evaluate their work improve it share it with the world Initia...