For Families

Role of Families

Important Date

Presentations will be held virtually on June 3rd and 4th for students only. A schedule will be announced later.

Supporting Your Child

These next few weeks will be a very exciting and challenging period for your child! Besides having their teachers and mentors to guide them, your child will really benefit from your continued support at home. Your role in making this a successful journey and rewarding experience for your child is very important.

Get Informed

Please take the time to browse this site to get a feel for what Exhibition is all about and what is expected.

Facilitate & Encourage

The Exhibition is an opportunity for your child and their group to be as independent as possible when carrying out their research. We certainly don't want parents telling their child the answers or doing the work on their behalf. However this is still primary school and the children will certainly need our assistance.

Try to view yourself as a 'guide on the side'. If you see your child challenged ask questions to help them think through the problem for themselves. For example if you see your child struggling with a book or web resource which is just too difficult perhaps you could ask 'Can you understand that? 'Why not look for a different resource?' Or if your child is having problems finding information you might ask 'Is there a person you could ask?' 'Is there a way you could contact that person if you can't actually meet them face to face?'. If they are struggling as they look through a book remind them 'Have you thought about using picture clues, the index or contents page?' Try as much as possible to let them come up with the solutions. If need be you can give them a little direct help.

Help Your Child Locate Resources

If you feel your child is having difficulty finding suitable websites, books, places (and so on) to help them with their research then you can point them in the right direction. You may suggest some websites or provide them with some helpful books or articles. You may be able to suggest a person they could write to, telephone or to visit in person. You may be able to take them on a field trip during the weekend to a local museum or other similar resource. Try looking in the Resources section of this website where web resources relating to their issue will be placed during the exhibition unit.

Support Your Child Emotionally

If you child is having difficulties during the Exhibition please put your child's mind at ease. The Exhibition should be challenging but it certainly should not be stressful. Your child is still at primary school and he/she certainly should not be stressed about the Exhibition. We all learn from our mistakes and if things don't go to plan it really doesn't matter in the long term. You know your child better than anyone and it may be that the best support you can offer them at times during the Exhibition is to give them a cuddle or take their mind off school by playing a game and ensure they have balance and are relaxed.

What does the IB say is the parents' role during the Exhibition?

Parents/guardians will:

• have an understanding of the purpose and requirements of the exhibition

• support and encourage students and teachers throughout the process of inquiry

• be informed by reading newsletters, attending meetings, checking school websites, talking with students

• help students to access resources—people, places, media and information

• provide expert subject knowledge where applicable

• act as mentors as required or appropriate

• encourage independent inquiry and respect student ownership of the process

• have an opportunity to reflect on and give feedback on the exhibition

• celebrate with the students by attending the staging of the exhibition.