On Saturday, May 31, all junior high students—from first to third year—participated in a special "Vertical TOK Morality" class, working in mixed-grade groups.

This initiative incorporates elements of the Theory of Knowledge (TOK), a core component of the IB curriculum. By engaging in dialogue on “questions without clear answers,” students deepen their understanding of both themselves and others, and cultivate their own values through the exchange of diverse perspectives. In previous sessions, students have explored questions such as “What is kindness?” and “What does it mean to be part of a group?”

This time, the theme was “What is learning?”
Although some students were initially nervous about working with peers from different grades, ice-breaking activities quickly brought smiles and created a comfortable atmosphere that encouraged active discussion.

Questions such as:

• “What does it mean to learn?”

• “Why do we learn?”

• “How is learning in school connected to the future?”
  sparked thoughtful conversations, with students drawing from their own experiences and viewpoints to share personal insights on the meaning of learning.

At the end of the session, each group created a “Top Guidelines for Maximizing Learning at Ritsumeikan Uji” ranking based on their discussions. These rankings have been displayed in each grade's lounge area, allowing students to see the ideas of other groups and continue reflecting on the topic.

In just 70 minutes, students were able to reconsider the significance of learning and grow in their ability to engage with diverse perspectives through intergrade dialogue. We hope that this meaningful experience will serve as a warm and empowering foundation for their future learning journey at school.