+

TA Role in the PYP

Teachers Assistant PD March 16th, ,2012

+Essential Agreements

What do you want to gain or learn during this workshop?

Appreciation Commitment Confidence Cooperation Creativity Curiosity Empathy

Enthusiasm Independence Integrity Respect Tolerance

+What do you know about the PYP?

Using the A3 paper provided for you on your tables please write down as many things that you know about the PYP as you can.

+IB? IBO? PYP? POI? UOI?...Wait What??

Are you having a difficult time understanding what all this lingo is about? Let me take a moment to slow down and define some of the terminology that goes into our IB program.

IB stands for International Baccalaureate. The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) was established in 1968 and is a non-profit, international education foundation registered in Switzerland

PYP stands for Primary Years program and is one of the three programs offered by the IB Organization. This is what we are currently teaching at CISB. It focuses on students in PreK – Grade 5.

+IB? IBO? PYP? POI? UOI?...Wait What??

Each grade level writes their very own curriculum. This curriculum is called a “Unit of Inquiry” or UOI. Our school also follows the New Brunswick curriculum, so teachers must ensure that that curriculum is followed. PYP encompasses all subject areas such as Language Arts and Math that are sometimes stand alone subjects.

All of the units combined are what make up our Program of Inquiry (POI). Our teachers will be teaching all six of our planners to create a first time completed POI for this year. Even so, our POI will continue to change each year, updating and changing planners as needed.

Here is an example of a UOI.

This is a sampling of the PreK3 and PreK4 POI (Programme of Inquiry)

+Graffiti Board

There are posters that have been placed around the room. You are free to write or draw any ideas that are sparked by the words displayed.

+IB Learner Profiles

The IB Learner profiles are the 10 most important attributes of an international person and answers the questions: What kind of person do we want our students to be? What kind of a person do we want to be?

The PYP aims to help students become more internationally minded by recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.

+5 Essential Elements of the Written Curriculum

1. Knowledge

Significant, relevant content we wish the students to explore and know about, taking into consideration their prior experience and understanding

2. Concepts

Powerful ideas that have relevance within the subject areas but also transcend them and that students must explore and re-explore in order to develop a coherent, in-depth understanding.

+3. Skills

Those capabilities the students need to demonstrate to succeed in a changing, challenging world, which may be disciplinary or transdisciplinary in nature.

4. Attitudes

Dispositions that are expressions of fundamental values, beliefs and feelings about learning, the environment and people.

5. Action

Demonstrations of deeper learning in responsible behaviour through responsible action; a manifestation in practice of the other essential elements

+Role Playing

In your groups, I would like you to come up with role plays of things that you have done in the class with students that pertain to PYP or things that you would like to do.

+Reflection

What can you do more in the classroom to assist students and teachers with the PYP?

What would you like to do more?

What can teachers do to help you in your professional development?

Duties of Teachers Joint Activities Duties of Teachers’ Assistants and Advisory Personnel

Diagnosing •Diagnose learning needs •Discuss students abilities, strengths and weaknesses•Attend program –planning meetings (if the teacher requests that TA’s be present.

Planning •Plan lesson activities and choose resources•Establish priorities

•Prepare materials, including modifications to the curriculum•Provide advice on available resources

Disciplining •Establish a clearly understood classroom management structure, classroom rules and expectations for students

•Meet regularly to discuss student progress•Discuss and clarify expectations for student discipline and classroom rules

Duties of Teachers Joint Activities Duties of Teachers’ Assistants and Advisory Personnel

Evaluating •Evaluate student progress

•Discuss observations•Exchange information

Reporting •* Report to parents both formally and informally

•Discuss student information as appropriate•Maintain confidentiality

Evaluating Assistants •Evaluate professional and non-professional staff•Document and share concerns•Seek training for assistants as appropriate

•Discuss strengths and concerns

Teaching •Implement lesson plans and direct teaching related to those lesson plans•Supervise and facilitate student learning•Model techniques and appropriate language•Provide resources for the assistants

•Clarify and share outcomes and experiences•Discuss specific strategies, activities and outcomes•Discuss workplace location

+Essential Agreements

What are your expectations of your job?

What sort of agreements can you make between you and your teachers to improve your relationships with your teacher and your students?