PYP is a transdisciplinary programme of international education designed to foster the development of the child.
The IB program is an internationally practiced method of curriculum planning and teaching that brings different subject areas together, providing interconnected meaning to the students’ learning experience. It focuses on developing the physical, emotional, social and intellectual needs of all students. At the elementary level, IB is organized under the Primary Years Programme (PYP) of Inquiry.
The lessons not only provide in-depth academic learning, but also provide global awareness relevant to the academic subject areas. This allows students to think critically, make connections across subject areas, and develop strong problem-solving skills in the areas of academic knowledge and social awareness. The PYP helps students to develop a strong sense of responsibility for their achievement and the role they play in the world around them. This allows students to develop effective skills as inquirers, thinkers, communicators and risk takers, as well as to become individuals who are more knowledgeable, principled, caring, open-minded, balanced and reflective.
The five essential elements are at the core of the PYP curriculum. These five essential elements—concepts, knowledge, skills, attitudes, action—are incorporated into the framework of PYP curriculum.
- Concepts - The driving force in developing the Program of Inquiry. These powerful ideas have relevance within and across the disciplines, and are continuously re-explored.
- Knowledge - Significant subject matter for students to explore. This also provides our students with a shared base of information.
- Skills - Abilities the students attain in order to succeed in making sense of their world.
- Attitudes - Fundamental values, beliefs and feelings students have regarding learning, their environment, and other people.
- Action - Demonstration of deeper learning through service and positive action.
The aim of the programme is to help students acquire a holistic understanding of six main themes, shown on the outside of the curriculum model, through the interrelatedness of these essential elements.
Six transdisciplinary themes
The essential elements at the centre of the curriculum model are developed and applied in a context defined by the six transdisciplinary themes
- Where we are in place and time
- How we organize ourselves
The PYP identifies a body of knowledge for all students in all cultures, in six subject areas:
- personal, social, physical education.
In the spirit of internationalism students are required to learn a second language in addition to the language of instruction of the school.