So… What Should I Teach in Advisory Lessons?!
I’ll never forget the moment. I’d just been given my timetable at my first IB school, and it looked really good! Lots of free periods around lunchtime which would allow me to run a choir or band, a slower Friday afternoon to plan for the following week… Perfect!
But, then I saw it. ‘MYP2 Advisory’ in a Thursday morning 45-min slot.
’Ahhh…’, I remember saying, ‘What am I supposed to teach here?’. I was given some vague guidelines: Spend time working on goals for the month, planning Service as Action activities, building community within the class, addressing pastoral care issues… But every time Thursday rolled by, I found myself in a panic trying to figure out what to actually DO for the 45-mins.
This MYP2 class just graduated from DP2 (I know, it makes me feel so OLD when this happens!), and I’m very happy to report that they have grown into mature, respectful, thoughtful adults, who are ready to lead the world. However, I do feel that I could have used our time together a little more productively.
What I desperately wish someone had told me was that this 45-min slot was precious time to actually grow students into the IB Learners they had the potential to be. Instead of being panicked and unsure of what to do each week, I should have used that time to focus on aspects of the IB MYP that they didn’t have the scope for in their regular classes.
Here, I’m going to give you five ideas of what you can actually DO in advisory lessons, focused on different aspects of the MYP programme. I have also created some products that I hope you find helpful to use in these lessons. If your school already has a well-planned advisory curriculum that you’re required to use, congratulations! You are very lucky! Perhaps you’ll still find some of these ideas useful.
1. The Learner Profile
The IB Learner Profile isn’t just a poster on the wall, but it’s the set of qualities we want every student to leave school with. Traits like caring, principled, and inquirers come alive when we intentionally teach them. In advisory, you could focus on one trait per month: explore what it means, discuss real-world examples, and challenge students to put it into practice that week. For example, when focusing on open-minded, you might run an activity where students debate an issue from a perspective they don’t personally hold.
I created a bundle of Learner Profile products, including 10 × 1 hour lessons based on each Learner Profile Trait. The bundle also includes some (teenage appropriate) colouring sheets, and games, focused on the Learner Profile traits.
2. ATL Skills
The Approaches to Learning are the “how” of learning in the MYP, and advisory is the perfect space to teach them directly. Pick a skill category (thinking, communication, social, self-management, research) and zoom in on one subskill at a time. For time management, you could have students map out their homework week; for critical thinking, run a quick “fact or opinion” challenge. These practical mini-lessons give students tools they can use immediately in class and beyond.
This bundle includes ATL-focused worksheets for advisory lessons, as well as a flashcard matching game for the ATL skills. I am also working on some ATL skills posters for the classroom with all the skills and sub-skills, however, having your students create them would be a great, student-centred activity!
3. Academic and Social Reflection Time
Life in the MYP moves quickly, with projects, tests, group work, sports, and social events. Advisory can be a regular “pause button” where students reflect on their academic progress and social wellbeing. This could be through journaling (see my previous blog post about this!), peer check-ins, or guided reflection questions. Encourage students to identify not just challenges, but also what’s working well, so they can build on their strengths. Over time, this develops a habit of self-awareness and self-improvement.
I am such a big fan of journalling, and having your students work through a journal throughout the year is a great use of Advisory time. They reflect on their growth as a student, following the Learner Profile, ATL skills, and their grades and feedback from teachers and parents.
4. Increasing IB Knowledge Time
Even students in the MYP sometimes don’t fully understand the programme they’re part of. Advisory is a great place to break down key elements of the IB, like assessment criteria, the role of formative vs summative tasks, what “global contexts” mean, or how the personal project works. This knowledge empowers students to take more ownership of their learning. You could run a short quiz, create a “My IB Handbook,” or play an interactive game to make it fun.
This ‘Would You Rather’ game is a really fun way for students to explore aspects of the MYP IB Program.
Another idea is the ‘How well do you know the MYP’ trivia game, which you can do in pairs, or as a whole class like a game show.
5. Planning Service as Action Activities
Service as Action isn’t just a requirement, but it’s a chance for students to connect learning with real-world change. Advisory time is perfect for brainstorming service ideas, planning steps, and reflecting on completed projects. You can help students link service activities to units they’re studying or global issues they care about. For example, a science unit on ecosystems could inspire a school garden project; an English unit on persuasive writing could lead to an environmental awareness campaign. I’m currently working on some Service as Action resources, so I’ll hopefully have some things to share with you soon.
Looking back, I wish I’d realised sooner just how valuable those advisory minutes could be. They weren’t just “filler” in my timetable, but they were a golden opportunity to build skills, confidence, and IB understanding that would serve my students for years to come. Now, when I see “Advisory” on my schedule, I don’t panic. I plan with purpose. Whether it’s deep-diving into the Learner Profile, practising ATL skills, giving space for reflection, building IB knowledge, or planning meaningful Service as Action, I know that every session can leave my students better equipped for the challenges ahead.
If you’re staring at your own timetable wondering what to do with that mysterious advisory slot, I hope these ideas (and the resources I’ve shared) give you the confidence and clarity I wish I’d had. Advisory is more than a gap in the week—it’s your chance to help shape the kind of learners, thinkers, and people our students will become. And that’s time well spent.
