IB WORLD SCHOOL

Weddington Hills Elementary is an IB World school offering the Primary Years Programme. These are schools that share a common philosophy – a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Weddington Hills Elementary School believes is important for our students. For more information visit www.ibo.org. 

IB PYP, INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAMME

What is it? The International Baccalaureate Organization was founded in 1968 in Geneva, Switzerland to establish a consistent curriculum for international students. They offer four programs: PYP for elementary students, MYP for middle school students, DP for high school students, and the IB Career Related Programme for high school students on a career/technical track. The IB focuses on best teaching practices and provides education for more than a million students in over 150 countries.

How do we learn? The primary teaching model for all IB PYP schools is inquiry-based instruction. Inquiry includes research, wondering, questioning, experimenting, developing curiosity, and much more. We will continue to use the workshop model for reading and math instruction which allows teachers to group students by ability levels, teach mini-lessons, and engage learners in hands-on activities appropriate for their needs. 

What do we study? Being a public school, we will continue to follow the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts and Math along with the N.C. Essential Standards in Science and Social Studies. These standards are incorporated into our Programme of Inquiry, organized around the 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 

Each grade level participates in six units of inquiry that connect all subject areas through big ideas or key concepts (form, function, causation, connection, change, perspective, and responsibility). Beyond integrated studies, teaching and learning in a transdisciplinary way connects ideas both in and out of the classroom.

 How do we teach students to be internationally minded? Through the development of a set of attributes called the IB Learner Profile, students will have the tools to be successful anywhere in the world. These attributes are the mission statement of the IB and include: balanced, caring, communicator, inquirer, knowledgeable, open-minded, principled, reflective, risk-taker, and thinker. The IB philosophy also suggests that the best inquiry should lead to positive action. Community service is just one of the ways students may take action. Actions may be big or small, like continuing to read about an issue based on a class discussion. The IB PYP encourages more student led action and less adult driven service. 

How are students evaluated? We will continue to follow the state and district testing schedules and will also document student progress in the IB PYP through portfolios, work products, and written reflections. We want students to become reflective and one of the ways to develop this attribute is by teaching students to evaluate their own work and make revisions for improvement. Writing is also an emphasis in the IB PYP and helps to develop communication skills as students explain their thinking using reflective writing. 

What about language learning? Spanish will be offered as an additional language. All students will participate in an exploratory study of this language and its culture. 

Will students be able to continue in the IB after WHES? All students have the opportunity to continue in the middle school program, but must meet the academic criteria set by CCS to be admitted. The IB PYP builds the foundation in inquiry based learning, additional language, and taking action through service which become required areas of study in the MYP, DP, and CP.

How is character developed? The IB Learner Profile develops strong character and supports student citizenship. 

The IB Learner Profile - balanced, caring, communicator, inquirer, knowledgeable, open-minded, principled, reflective, risk-taker, and thinker. 

Web Sites: www.ibo.org and WHES IB PYP