The Primary Years Programme
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) offers an inquiry based, transdisciplinary framework for our youngest learners (ages 3-12). The PYP teaches students to become active, caring, lifelong learners who demonstrate international-mindedness. It focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both within and beyond the classroom.
PYP students in FCCPS are encouraged to take action and think about ways they can make their community a better place. We focus on building skills that students will use throughout their educational journey to make them successful and independent learners and thinkers. Students in grades kindergarten - fifth participate in the PYP. We are excited to be adding the PYP Early Years framework to our work at Jessie Thackrey for our preschool learners (ages 3-5).
The Learner Profile
Learner Profile IBO.pdfThe learner profile is the the heart of the International Baccalaureate (IB), creating a set of learning outcomes for the 21st Century. The attributes of the learner profile state which values are inherent to the IB continuum of international education and provide a long-term vision of education with a set of ideals that can "inspire, motivate and focus the work of schools and teachers." International Baccalaureate Organization 2006.
Both school and classroom behavior systems are built around the learner profile. Students' demonstration of the learner profile attributes described below are recognized and celebrated.
As IB learners we strive to be:
Inquirers
Knowledgeable
Thinkers
Communicators
Principled
Open-Minded
Caring
Risk-takers
Balanced
Reflective
Concepts
What do we want the students to understand?
Inquiry is a the heart of learning in the PYP. The key concepts are a way to support inquiry in a meaningful, challenging, and significant way by fostering connections among the different disciplines.
Form - What is it like?
The understanding that everything has a form with recognizable features that can be observed, identified, described and categorized.
Function - How does it work?
The understanding that everything has a purpose, a role, or a way of behaving that can be investigated.
Causation - Why is it like it is?
The understanding that things do not just happen, that there are causal relationships at work, and that actions have consequences.
Change - How is it changing?
The understanding that change is the process of movement from one state to another. It is universal and inevitable.
Connection - How is it connected to other things?
The understanding that we live in a world of interacting systems in which the actions of any individual element affect others.
Perspective - What are the points of view?
The understanding that knowledge is moderated by perspectives; different perspectives lead to different interpretations, understandings, and findings; perspectives may be individual, group, cultural or disciplinary.
Responsibility - What is our responsibility?
The understanding that people make choices based on their understandings and the actions they take as a result do make a difference.
Approaches to Learning
What do we want the students to do?
The construction of meaning and, therefore, of understanding is complemented by the students acquiring and applying a range of skills. These skills are best developed in the context of authentic situations such as those offered through the PYP units of inquiry.
Thinking Skills
Critical-thinking skills
Creative thinking skills
Transfer skills
Reflection/metacognitive skills
Communication Skills
Exchanging information skills
Literacy Skills
ICT Skills
Research Skills
Information literacy skills
Media literacy skills
Ethical use of media/information
Social Skills
Developing positive interpersonal relationships and collaboration skills
Developing social-emotional intelligence
Self-Management Skills
Organization Skills
States of mind
Action
Action is an integral part of the PYP philosophy and the learning process. Student action is about young people making positive changes as a result of their learning. Action can be big or small and can be individual or collective. Action should be authentic, meaningful, responsible, and responsive. The PYP has identified 5 different ways that students can take action: participation, advocacy, social justice, social entrepreneurship and lifestyle choices.
Blackburn, Cindy. “Toddle.” 2020. Visual guide to the PYP. PDF. 6 March 2021. <https://learn.toddleapp.com/resource_post/visual-guide-to-the-pyp/>.
Questions about the PYP in FCCPS?
Contact
Lauren Carpel
PYP Coordinator
Jessie Thackrey Preschool| Mount Daniel Elementary | Oak Street Elementary School