Presentation on IB PYP Program by Ms. Santos at April 14th General PTA Meeting:
What is different about IB education?
IB PYP (International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program) is based on connecting information being studied to a culture of “transdisciplinary themes.” Each 6 weeks curriculum is based around a certain theme: Who we are, Where we are in space and time, How we express ourselves, How the world works, How we organize ourselves, & Sharing the planet. Every subject studied during those 6 weeks should connect back to the central theme of those 6 weeks. Subjects are taught in a single classroom with emphasis on integration of material rather than separate math, science, social studies, & writing classes. Lee will participate in "whole school" planning to make sure that all classes themes align with the focus for that 6 weeks. Each grade level will focus on certain “learner profile” traits, emphasizing 1 or 2 at a time. The profile aims to develop learners who are: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced, & Reflective. To read more about the IB learner profile visit www.ibo.org/contentassets/fd82f70643ef4086b7d3f292cc214962/learner-profile-en.pdf
The main goal of IB is to develop self-sufficient, international minded students. Students are encouraged to be aware of what is happening to them in their lives and how their decisions affect others in other parts of the city, country, and the world. As well as to develop skills for independent inquiry and self-assessment.
How will students be evaluated?
We will have the same tests and report cards but students will also have a reflection piece at the end of each 6 week period to do a self-assessment of how they are doing/learning. Teachers will be asking students to reflect on their own learning and teachers are asked to reflect on their own practices and style of teaching.
What will IB at Lee look like?
Teachers will be teaching the same curriculum that the state requires the main difference is the way that it is taught and planned out throughout the year. All of their learning relates back to the transdisciplinary theme and each classroom is self-contained, meaning that the same teacher has the same group of students all day long. Instruction will be more project based, theme-based learning rather then standardized lectures & memorization. The teacher's role is more of a facilitator than solely an instructor. Inquiry based learning encourages students to ask questions and seek their own answers. Want students to learn, then ask questions, then reflect back and say why.
What does PYP look like in the classroom? More community service and outreach, figuring out what is going on in their part of the world. Students will have French as an elective throughout the week similar to how art and music are currently scheduled. All class levels will have exposure to French. Hopefully, as the year progresses can have more integration of French into classroom lessons and projects as well.
What will IB mean for parents and how can parents support the program?
We want parents to have high expectations for their students with the goal of fostering college readiness by the time students are done with 5th grade,
Parents can help by looking back at homework and relating it back to how this relates to home, community and the world.
Expect to see a lot of writing assignments and a lot of reflection. Ask questions about how the theme was presented to them and what they were able to take out of it.
Allow questioning, encourage inquiry and to talk to your students about their learning throughout the day.
Know the units that your child is involved in.
Share your thoughts and reasoning.
Attend IB informational meetings.
Volunteer for activities.
The community is a crucial component for IB to work well. 2015-2016 will be our IB candidate year. At the end of the year Lee will have certification walk-through to see if we can become certified as an IB school. Community, parent, and teacher involvement will be a crucial part of achieving accreditation. The school will have regular parent information sessions throughout the school year to provide information on the units and "learner profile traits" being studied.
To learn more about IB PYP visit: www.ibo.org/en/programmes/primary-years-programme/
What is different about IB education?
IB PYP (International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program) is based on connecting information being studied to a culture of “transdisciplinary themes.” Each 6 weeks curriculum is based around a certain theme: Who we are, Where we are in space and time, How we express ourselves, How the world works, How we organize ourselves, & Sharing the planet. Every subject studied during those 6 weeks should connect back to the central theme of those 6 weeks. Subjects are taught in a single classroom with emphasis on integration of material rather than separate math, science, social studies, & writing classes. Lee will participate in "whole school" planning to make sure that all classes themes align with the focus for that 6 weeks. Each grade level will focus on certain “learner profile” traits, emphasizing 1 or 2 at a time. The profile aims to develop learners who are: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced, & Reflective. To read more about the IB learner profile visit www.ibo.org/contentassets/fd82f70643ef4086b7d3f292cc214962/learner-profile-en.pdf
The main goal of IB is to develop self-sufficient, international minded students. Students are encouraged to be aware of what is happening to them in their lives and how their decisions affect others in other parts of the city, country, and the world. As well as to develop skills for independent inquiry and self-assessment.
How will students be evaluated?
We will have the same tests and report cards but students will also have a reflection piece at the end of each 6 week period to do a self-assessment of how they are doing/learning. Teachers will be asking students to reflect on their own learning and teachers are asked to reflect on their own practices and style of teaching.
What will IB at Lee look like?
Teachers will be teaching the same curriculum that the state requires the main difference is the way that it is taught and planned out throughout the year. All of their learning relates back to the transdisciplinary theme and each classroom is self-contained, meaning that the same teacher has the same group of students all day long. Instruction will be more project based, theme-based learning rather then standardized lectures & memorization. The teacher's role is more of a facilitator than solely an instructor. Inquiry based learning encourages students to ask questions and seek their own answers. Want students to learn, then ask questions, then reflect back and say why.
What does PYP look like in the classroom? More community service and outreach, figuring out what is going on in their part of the world. Students will have French as an elective throughout the week similar to how art and music are currently scheduled. All class levels will have exposure to French. Hopefully, as the year progresses can have more integration of French into classroom lessons and projects as well.
What will IB mean for parents and how can parents support the program?
We want parents to have high expectations for their students with the goal of fostering college readiness by the time students are done with 5th grade,
Parents can help by looking back at homework and relating it back to how this relates to home, community and the world.
Expect to see a lot of writing assignments and a lot of reflection. Ask questions about how the theme was presented to them and what they were able to take out of it.
Allow questioning, encourage inquiry and to talk to your students about their learning throughout the day.
Know the units that your child is involved in.
Share your thoughts and reasoning.
Attend IB informational meetings.
Volunteer for activities.
The community is a crucial component for IB to work well. 2015-2016 will be our IB candidate year. At the end of the year Lee will have certification walk-through to see if we can become certified as an IB school. Community, parent, and teacher involvement will be a crucial part of achieving accreditation. The school will have regular parent information sessions throughout the school year to provide information on the units and "learner profile traits" being studied.
To learn more about IB PYP visit: www.ibo.org/en/programmes/primary-years-programme/