Understanding the Primary Years Programme
A GUIDE FOR PARENTS
How is the curriculum developed?
The PYP holds regular meetings to which authorized schools send representatives. These representatives serve on curriculum committees which develop the curriculum for individual disciplines, in the context of a coherent, central framework. The work of these committees is coordinated by a steering committee. Since the early stages of its development the PYP has also worked closely with consultants and teacher trainers from different national systems.
What will my child be learning?
The PYP has designed a transdisciplinary curriculum which draws the individual disciplines together into a coherent whole, while preserving the essence of each subject.
Your child will:
Develop a deep understanding of important concepts
Conduct research into knowledge which has local and global significance
Acquire and practice a range of essential skills
Be encouraged to develop positive attitudes towards learning, the environment and other people
Have the opportunity for involvement in responsible action and social service
How will I know how my child is doing?
The PYP promotes the use of a range of assessment strategies which are designed to give a clear picture of your child’s progress. This progress will be reported to you regularly, both orally and in writing. You are encouraged to play an active role in supporting your child’s learning.
How can I support my child’s learning?
The PYP sees learning as a partnership between student, parent and school.
You can help your child by:
Maintaining regular contact with the school
Sharing books with your child
Supporting your child’s mother tongue
Assisting your child with research projects
Attending curriculum information sessions at school and parent/teacher conferences
Providing an appropriate setting and structured routine for doing homework
After the PYP, what next?
The IBO sees the PYP curriculum as an excellent preparation, but not a prerequisite, for the IBO’s Middle Years Programme (MYP) for 11 to 16 year olds. Both curriculums place a focus on critical thinking, personal responsibility for learning, student inquiry and social service. Similarly the MYP is seen as an ideal foundation, but again not a prerequisite, for the IBO’s Diploma Programme for 16 to 19 year olds. The IBO’s Diploma Programme is regarded by many as the finest pre-university curriculum available.
Will the PYP help my child fit into another school?
Although no school or curriculum can guarantee a perfect fit when children transfer to a new school, particularly a school in a different country, parents may be reassured by the following points:
Students in other schools implementing the PYP curriculum will have common learning experiences in terms of conceptual development, skill acquisition, positive attitudes and meaningful action. There will be less uniformity of specific content in certain areas, since schools will naturally wish to reflect the unique nature of their own locations.
The PYP is working towards agreement on a common set of assessment, recording and reporting strategies which will facilitate the transfer of students.
For further information, please visit online www.ibo.org
A GUIDE FOR PARENTS
How is the curriculum developed?
The PYP holds regular meetings to which authorized schools send representatives. These representatives serve on curriculum committees which develop the curriculum for individual disciplines, in the context of a coherent, central framework. The work of these committees is coordinated by a steering committee. Since the early stages of its development the PYP has also worked closely with consultants and teacher trainers from different national systems.
What will my child be learning?
The PYP has designed a transdisciplinary curriculum which draws the individual disciplines together into a coherent whole, while preserving the essence of each subject.
Your child will:
Develop a deep understanding of important concepts
Conduct research into knowledge which has local and global significance
Acquire and practice a range of essential skills
Be encouraged to develop positive attitudes towards learning, the environment and other people
Have the opportunity for involvement in responsible action and social service
How will I know how my child is doing?
The PYP promotes the use of a range of assessment strategies which are designed to give a clear picture of your child’s progress. This progress will be reported to you regularly, both orally and in writing. You are encouraged to play an active role in supporting your child’s learning.
How can I support my child’s learning?
The PYP sees learning as a partnership between student, parent and school.
You can help your child by:
Maintaining regular contact with the school
Sharing books with your child
Supporting your child’s mother tongue
Assisting your child with research projects
Attending curriculum information sessions at school and parent/teacher conferences
Providing an appropriate setting and structured routine for doing homework
After the PYP, what next?
The IBO sees the PYP curriculum as an excellent preparation, but not a prerequisite, for the IBO’s Middle Years Programme (MYP) for 11 to 16 year olds. Both curriculums place a focus on critical thinking, personal responsibility for learning, student inquiry and social service. Similarly the MYP is seen as an ideal foundation, but again not a prerequisite, for the IBO’s Diploma Programme for 16 to 19 year olds. The IBO’s Diploma Programme is regarded by many as the finest pre-university curriculum available.
Will the PYP help my child fit into another school?
Although no school or curriculum can guarantee a perfect fit when children transfer to a new school, particularly a school in a different country, parents may be reassured by the following points:
- Transfer to schools following the national curriculum
- Close attention is paid to a range of national curriculums when developing the PYP curriculum
- Students transferring from international schools usually have no trouble with the standards of national school
- Transfer to other schools offering the PYP.
Students in other schools implementing the PYP curriculum will have common learning experiences in terms of conceptual development, skill acquisition, positive attitudes and meaningful action. There will be less uniformity of specific content in certain areas, since schools will naturally wish to reflect the unique nature of their own locations.
The PYP is working towards agreement on a common set of assessment, recording and reporting strategies which will facilitate the transfer of students.
For further information, please visit online www.ibo.org