Understanding the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme

 

In February 2005, The University Laboratory School became authorized to offer the Primary Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate.   The school is also authorized to offer the Diploma Programme and the Middle Years Programme.  We are one of few schools in the world to have ALL three programmes of the International Baccalaureate.

The University Laboratory School is the first and only school authorized to offer the Primary Years Programme in the state of Louisiana, one of 116 in the nation and one of 385 in the world. (August 2007 data)

 

Our students appear on a Baton Rouge Morning Show to talk about the PYP at the Lab School April 2006

 

What is the Primary Years Programme?

The Primary Years Programme is the official curriculum framework and teaching methodology of the International Baccalaureate (IB) developed for children in the primary years of schooling (Pre-school – Grade 5).  It emphasizes learning through active inquiry and aims to develop the whole child to meet certain competencies and attitudes outlined in a learner profile.  

 

At the heart of the Primary Years Programme philosophy is a commitment to structured inquiry as main way of learning.  Each year, the students are involved in 6 units of inquiry  matching the following six transdisciplinary themes:  

 
  • Who we are
  • Where we are in place and time
  • How we express ourselves
  • How the world works
  • How we organize ourselves
  • Sharing the planet

 

  

Learner Profile

click here to view a video for the Learner Profile

 

Our aim is to nurture globally-minded citizens who are:

Communicator

I am able to think and communicate in more than one language. I can also communicate using mathematical language.

Caring

I am caring. I want people around me to be happy, and I am sensitive to their needs.

 

Principled

I have principles. I have a sense of fairness and am honest with myself and with others. I have an understanding of moral reasoning.

 

Principled

I know what I do well and what I don't. I try to think about these things and make changes where I can.

Knowledgeable

I have explored relevant and significant concepts at school and can remember what I have learned. I can draw on this knowledge and apply it in new situations.

 

Balanced

I am healthy and aware that eating properly and exercising is important in my life. I understand that it is important to have a balance.

Open-minded

I know that people are different and may do different things. I listen to other points of view and consider many possibilities before making a decision. I celebrate the differences in the world.

 

Risk-taker

I have the daring to try new things. I try to solve problems in a lot of ways. I have the bravery to tell people what I think is right.

Thinker

I can solve problems and make good decisions independently. I think creatively and critically.

 

Inquirer

I am curious about the world. I can conduct research independently. I love learning and discovering new things and will carry this love of learning with me throughout life.

 

 

Our aim is to promote the following attitudes:

 

Appreciation

Commitment

Confidence

Cooperation

Creativity

Curiosity

 

Empathy

Enthusiasm

Independence

Integrity

Respect

Tolerance

 

 

   

Will my child be taught traditional subjects in the PYP?

Within the PYP, your child will learn essential skills, competencies, knowledge and understanding in a way that transcends the traditional disciplines.  The PYP involves a scope and sequence curriculum of skills and understanding in the major curricular areas such as language development, mathematics, social studies and science.  Starting in kindergarten, your child will have foreign language instruction and physical education daily, music twice weekly, art and guidance weekly.

 

   How will my child be assessed?

 

 

 

 

Your child’s teachers carry out all assessment of student work with a balance of school-based assessment including student/teacher/parent conferences, writing samples, structured observations and performance tasks, tests and formal assessments.  Most importantly, your child will often be involved in developing the criteria of assessment with the teacher and will understand how he/she will be assessed before many assessments take place.  This partnership will help the students develop a better understanding of assessment, it will contribute to improved self-assessment and raise personal achievement expectations.  This is part of the PYP goal to increase students’ awareness of their own learning. 

How can I support the Primary Years Programme at home?

Here are a few suggestions that you can follow:

  • Make the Learner Profile part of your life. Try to make natural connections between the IB Learner Profile attributes and what is happening in your life. To do this:
    • Post the Learner Profile in your home and use the language with your child.
    • Model the appropriate behaviors. Children see how we act and emulate it. If we expect children to act a certain way, they have to see adults acting that way too.
  • Watch for the ULS Newsletters . Newsletters contain information about how to make the Learner Profile and the PYP part of your life.
  • Maintain regular contact with the school and your child’s teachers. Be sure to read all school newsletters when they come home.
  • Encourage your child to take ACTION. Encourage your child to understand that the way they act really does influence the way others feel. They can make a difference in the lives of others.
  • Encourage your child to ask questions and help him/her find the answers.
  • Volunteer! If you have the time, approach your child’s teacher about the possibility of volunteering in the school, either in the library or in the classroom.
  • Encourage internationalism – Show your child that you can relate to others through the similarities of our cultures, and we also learn from each other through our differences.
  • Read with your child.
  • Attend curriculum information sessions at school and student-led conferences.
  • Assist your child with research projects.
  • Provide an appropriate setting and structured routine for doing homework.
  • Know the unit themes and central ideas your child is inquiring into.
  • Make discussion of ideas, opinions and events a regular feature at home.
  • Discuss and encourage your child’s ideas arising from inquiry topics.

For more information about the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, visit the International Baccalaureate website at  www.ibo.org  or contact the PYP coordinator, Christelle Thompson at cthom25@lsu.edu