BRIARGROVE ELEMENTARY: JOURNEY TO INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB).Primary Years Programme (PYP)

March 21, 2013

PRIZES

Who can name a learner profile attribute?

IB AND BRIARGROVE MISSION STATEMENTS The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring,

knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

The mission of Briargrove Elementary is to cultivate the development of principled, knowledgeable, and balanced inquirers through diverse and rigorous investigations in a safe, supportive environment. We aim to foster globally-minded citizens and lifelong learners, thus contributing to a better world and future for all.

QUESTIONS- ASSESSING PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAMME OF IB

Ages 3-12

Develops the whole child as an inquirer

A framework guided by 6 transdisciplinary themes of global significance, explored using knowledge and skills.

Powerful emphasis on inquiry- based learning.

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF THE PYP Knowledge

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

Concepts Skills Attitudes Action

KNOWLEDGE:UNITS OF INQUIRY (UOI) The knowledge component of the written curriculum is

determined by the belief that there are areas of knowledge that, while important for any student, are especially significant in schools that aim to promote international-mindedness on the part of their students.

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

Transdisciplinary Themes

KNOWLEDGE:PROGRAMME OF INQUIRY (POI)

The programme of inquiry (POI) consists of six units of inquiry (UOI)—one for each transdisciplinary theme- at each grade level:

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

The school ensures that there is a coherent, horizontally and vertically articulated programme of inquiry.

Focus on concept driven planning versus topic driven planning

KNOWLEDGE:UNITS OF INQUIRY (UOI)

Each Unit of Inquiry (UOI) usually lasts for 6‐8 weeks

Objective is to cover all 6 UOIs in a school year

In order to help students make meaningful connections, the subjects of science, physical and social education, social studies, language, mathematics, and the arts are integrated wherever possible.

Teachers are encouraged to plan inquiries with a high level of involvement on the part of the students.

All UOIs will integrate the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and Planning Guides from HISD.

By providing students with this approach, the program aims to further the acquisition of knowledge and skills in the context of an ongoing

search for meaning and understanding.

KNOWLEDGE:TRANSDISCIPLINARY THEMES- PLANNING ACTIVITY

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

Inquiries and activities will be based on the concepts addressed by each TEKS, not the topic of the TEKS.

1.Organize each TEKS under a theme.2.Collaborate with your team. Use one another as a “thinking mirror”. 3.When all TEKS are categorized, choose one theme.4.What activities, learning experiences, and resources would your team like to use to guide students through this UOI?5.Record these ideas on your chart paper. 6.When finished, name your UOI.

LEARNER PROFILE:IB @ HOME

IB learners strive to be: Inquirers

Knowledgeable

Thinkers

Communicators

Principled

Open-minded

Caring

Risk-takers

Balanced

Reflective

The attributes of the learner profile express the values inherent to the IB continuum of international education: these are values that should infuse all elements of the three programmes and, therefore, the culture and ethos of all IB World Schools.

IB programmes promote the education of the whole person, emphasizing intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth through all domains of knowledge.

LEARNER PROFILE:IB @ HOME

Wikispace: PYP Library

CONTACT FOR INFORMATION ABOUT IB AT BRIARGROVE ELEMENTARY

Erin Van PeltIB Coordinator

eellswor@houstonisd.org(713) 917-3600