FAQ

1. What is IB?

IB stands for International Baccalaureate. Baccalaureate is defined as educational requirements set by standards and international would mean, used by people of many nations. IB consists of three programs. The Primary Years Program (PYP) is for children ages 3-12, the Middle Years Program (MYP) which is for ages 11-16, and the Diploma Program (DP) for students aged 16-19. The IB mission is to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. For more information about IB please visit the IBO website www.ibo. org/

2. What is the Primary Years Programme (PYP)?

The Primary Years Programme (PYP) is a curriculum framework for young learners ages 3-12 designed by the International Baccalaureate (IB). PYP generates a stimulating, challenging learning environment to nurture those assets and foster a lifelong love of learning in every child. The PYP is transdisciplinary, meaning students learn across subject areas while investing big ideas.

3. Why IB? What is special about it?

IB offers a continuum of education, consisting of three programs for students aged 3 to 19, and has a reputation for high-quality education sustained for over 35 years. These programs encourage international-mindedness and citizenship skills in IB students. To do this, we believe that students must first develop an understanding of their own cultural and national identity. IB encourages a positive attitude to learn by encouraging students to ask challenging questions, critically reflect, develop research skills, learn how to learn, and participate in community service By having IB at our school, the level of rigor goes up further for each student. Students are learning how to be critical thinkers and how their actions can help shape the world.

4. Why IB at Simis?

At Simis we have worked to develop our POI (Program of Inquiry) on inquiry-based instruction. Simis staff is dedicated to working together to assist students who will become international thinkers and who understand how to apply problem-solving techniques to local and global issues. Highly qualified teachers and staff at Madison Simis work with students through the six themes of guided inquiry. We assist students in understanding what their relationships and responsibilities are toward the new information and knowledge that they are acquiring. This sets Simis apart from other elementary schools.

5. Will my child still have homework?

Homework is still part of the necessary daily practice students need. Some homework assignments might look the same and some will probably look different. Students may continue to research topics at home and will ask parents questions as they seek to deepen their understanding of material explored during class time. They may come home asking higher-level questions and deciding to take action because of something they are learning about in class.

6. What is inquiry?

Inquiry is defined as an investigation to seek information and knowledge. The inquiry process leads students to develop and construct their own understanding of the concepts presented. We want students to understand that learning is about generating one’s own questions related to personal experience and real-life application, and then looking for answers, which in turn may generate new and more complex questions in need of answers, thus making them life-long learners.

7. What kind of training is involved?

All teachers have received a minimum of 15 hours of training in the components of the IB program and continue to gain knowledge and support as we work to improve the units of inquiry. We have expectations of continuous training within the IB guidelines.

8. What about state standards?

The POI units were written to correspond with the State Standards. Most of our units were written to include Social Studies and Science standards. Reading, Writing, and Math standards are also taught in the units where they fit in but some standards are taught as separate units. We are always looking for ways to increase inquiry instruction in all academic subject areas.

9. What about the Foreign Language?

Students receive Spanish instruction during the school day. We have two excellent Spanish teachers hired to give the best Spanish instruction to the students.

10. Are all grade involved in the Primary Years Programme (PYP)?

Yes! All grades K-4 are involved in the PYP.

11. What is Exhibition?

The exhibition is a culmination of the PYP. During Exhibition, 4th-grade students will choose a topic of personal interest, brainstorm questions based on that topic, and conduct research. Students receive support during Exhibition from their peers, teachers, and volunteer mentors. In the end, students will present their findings to the school community.

12. What is a POI? What are Transdisciplinary Themes?

POI stands for Program of Inquiry and it is the overall plan for instruction in a PYP school. The POI is developed under the six-transdisciplinary themes listed here:

Who We Are An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human.

Where We Are in Place and Time An inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries; explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationships between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.

How We Express Ourselves An inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs, and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic.

How the World Works An inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment.

How We Organize Ourselves An inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organizations; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment.

Sharing the Planet An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.

13. What makes Simis international or global?

All PYP schools are expected to use an inquiry-based model of instruction. We encourage students to make connections between their current understanding of a concept to new knowledge, and we strive to help children become adept at problem-solving and reasoning skills. We want children to consider how the concepts learned in class would relate to other children or people around the world.

14. How can I support my child and his/her education?

The best way for you to support your child is to make yourself available! Turn phones and other media devices off and devote a minimum of 30 minutes per day to talking with your child. Create a quiet place for your child to complete homework (away from TV and younger siblings), offer your assistance as needed and then look over the finished work. Discuss questions you might have about how answers were chosen as you guide your child in learning best how to study.

It is also important to ask your child specific questions about their day (avoiding “How was your day?” or generalized questions). Know the current unit and ask detailed questions: “How are you doing with learning fractions in Math?” or “What do you know about the position of the moon?” Share your positive and negative experiences regarding school so that your child realizes that we all have strengths and weaknesses and occasionally need help in some areas. Learn the IB Learner Profile and Attitude vocabulary and include these in your discussions with your child about the kind of person you expect them to become.

Join PATS, volunteer in your child’s classroom, offer your services as a speaker for classrooms, attend IB informational meetings, ask questions about how you can help. Read daily with your child. You are your child’s first example! Show your child the importance of reading by sharing your favorite childhood stories. Develop your child’s enjoyment of a good story by reading picture books or chapter books together.

15. How can I learn more about the IB and PYP?

* Visit the IB website at www.ibo.org or the parents page at IB Parents Page

* Attend school meetings and events

* Speak with your school's PYP coordinator

* Speak with your school's PYP classroom teacher