IB PYP

IB PYP: Pre-School to Grade 5
The Primary Years Program (PYP) is an international framework for curriculum. It is designed for children between the ages of 3 and 12. The program focuses on the total growth of the developing child, affecting hearts as well as minds and addressing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs in addition to academic welfare. The PYP is based on research about best teaching practices from all over the world and provides a relevant and engaging educational program.

Aims of the Program
Aims of PYP are expressed as a series of desired attributes and attitudes that characterize successful students. These globally minded young people are:

Inquirers	Their natural curiosity has been nurtured. They have acquired the skills necessary to conduct purposeful, constructive research. They actively enjoy learning, and the love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.
Thinkers	They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills, critically and creatively to make sound decisions and solve complex problems.
Communicators	They receive and express ideas and information confidently in more than one language, including the language of mathematical symbols.
Risk-takers	They approach unfamiliar situations without anxiety and have the confidence and independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas, and strategies. They are courageous and articulate in defending those things in which they believe.
Knowledgeable	They have spent time in our schools exploring themes that have global relevance and importance. In so doing, they have acquired a sound base of significant knowledge.
Principled	They have a sound grasp of principles of moral reasoning. They have integrity, honesty, and a sense of fairness and justice.
Caring	They show sensitivity toward the needs and feelings of others. They have a sense of personal commitment to action and service.
Open-minded	They respect the views, values, and traditions of other individuals and cultures and are accustomed to seek and consider a range of viewpoints.
Well-balanced	They understand the importance of physical and mental balance and personal well-being.
Reflective	They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and analyze their personal strengths and weaknesses in a constructive manner.

Characteristics of the IB PYP Program
PYP offers a transdisciplinary approach, which draws individual disciplines together into a coherent whole, while preserving the essence of each subject. At the heart of the PYP philosophy is a commitment to inquiry as the ideal vehicle for learning. Teachers and students are guided by a series of basic questions as they design curricular units for exploration and study. Throughout the units of study, each child will:

• Develop a deep understanding of important concepts
• Conduct research into knowledge that has local and global significance
• Acquire and practice a range of essential skills
• Develop positive attitudes towards learning, the environment, and other people
• Have the opportunity for involvement in responsible action and social service

The Programme of Inquiry (POI) is an outline of all of the Units of Inquiry that each grade level completes throughout the shool year. Units of Inquiry are planned at each grade level and are often integrated with specialist subject teachers.

There are no externally set or externally marked exams in PYP. Teachers develop and carry out all assessments of student work, which are designed to give a clear picture of each child's progress. The student's progress throughout the curriculum is documented in a reflective portfolio that outlines student achievement and accomplishments. Students and teachers collaborate on selections for the portfolio, which also facilitates transfer between schools offering the PYP. Grade 5 students, as the culmination of their PYP experience at ISS, participate in the PYP Exhibition. Their teachers guide them as they work on small group inquiry projects that require them to synthesize their learning and have a better understanding for all aspects of the PYP.