IB Primary Years Programme Update
Wade King PYP Newsletter - December 2019
Approaches to Learning in the IB Primary Years Program
As an IB school implementing the Primary Years Program (PYP), Wade King continuously strives to incorporate all the essential elements of the IB PYP. One of the essential elements of the program includes the PYP Approaches to Learning, which can also be thought of as sets of skills. These Approaches to Learning can be categorized into five groups: thinking skills, social skills, communication skills, self-management skills, and research skills. Everyone in our learning community works to develop these skills through our teaching and learning. These skills support students as they approach their self-directed learning and inquiry.
The skills and sub-skills that make up the PYP Approaches to Learning, as well as a brief description of each, can be found below (along with some photos of our incredible Wade King students).
Thinking Skills
Acquisition of Knowledge We learn new things, including facts and vocabulary, along with concepts and deeper knowledge. | Comprehension We work hard to understand what we learn, and we practice telling others about it. | Application We are able to use what we've learned by thinking and applying our knowledge in a new way. |
Acquisition of Knowledge
We learn new things, including facts and vocabulary, along with concepts and deeper knowledge.
Analysis We can break down the things we learn and take a closer look by comparing, contrasting, and seeing relationships. | Synthesis We are able to put things together and look at the big picture. This may involve creating, designing, or inventing something new. | Evaluation We practice determining the quality of our work, expressing and defending our opinions. |
Analysis
We can break down the things we learn and take a closer look by comparing, contrasting, and seeing relationships.
Synthesis
We are able to put things together and look at the big picture. This may involve creating, designing, or inventing something new.
Dialectical Thought We practice recognizing different points of view, and work to understand the reasons for differing viewpoints. | Metacognition We think about our process for learning, articulate our thinking, and practice making good decisions. | We are thinkers! The Wade King learners are continuously acquiring and applying new knowledge, reasoning, and practicing responsible decision-making. |
Dialectical Thought
We practice recognizing different points of view, and work to understand the reasons for differing viewpoints.
Metacognition
We think about our process for learning, articulate our thinking, and practice making good decisions.
Social Skills
Accepting Responsibility We take on tasks and accept the responsibility to carry them through to completion. | Respecting Others We practice listening to others, considering their thoughts and opinions, then responding fairly. | Cooperating We work well with others by compromising, being courteous, and sharing responsibility. |
Accepting Responsibility
We take on tasks and accept the responsibility to carry them through to completion.
Respecting Others
We practice listening to others, considering their thoughts and opinions, then responding fairly.
Resolving Conflict We work out problems by listening to others, accepting responsibility, and being fair. | Group Decision-Making We practice working with others to listen and discuss options, work towards an agreement, and make informed decisions. | Adopting a Variety of Group Roles We practice how to interact with others in different roles and as a part of different groups. |
Resolving Conflict
We work out problems by listening to others, accepting responsibility, and being fair.
Group Decision-Making
We practice working with others to listen and discuss options, work towards an agreement, and make informed decisions.
Communication Skills
Writing We record what we learn by documenting our thoughts, ideas, and observations. | Viewing We view and interpret signs and images in a variety of contexts. | Presenting We practice presenting ideas and concepts that we have learned in a variety of ways. |
Listening We listen to others when they are presenting information and giving directions. | Speaking We practice clear and concise verbal expression of ideas. | Reading We can read from a variety of sources for different purposes. We can also draw conclusions and make inferences from what we read. |
Self-Management Skills
Gross Motor Skills We work to build strength in our larger muscles. | Fine Motor Skills We practice using our smaller muscles for precision. | Spacial Awareness We practice being aware of the space around ourselves and our location in relation to others. |
Organization We plan activities and carry them out effectively. | Time Management We practice using our time efficiently and effectively. | Safety We actively avoid behavior that puts ourselves or others in danger. |
Healthy Lifestyle We practice self-care by making good decisions about how we stay fit, what we eat, how we relax, and how we stay clean. | Codes of Behavior We work hard to follow the essential agreements of the learning communities we participate in. | Informed Choices We make educated decisions based on information and facts. |
Healthy Lifestyle
We practice self-care by making good decisions about how we stay fit, what we eat, how we relax, and how we stay clean.
Codes of Behavior
We work hard to follow the essential agreements of the learning communities we participate in.
Research Skills
Formulating Questions We are curious about a variety of research topics, and actively pose relevant questions. | Observing We use our senses to notice relevant details and features related to our learning. | Planning We are always gathering relevant information to determine how we can best learn. |
Collecting Data We gather information from a variety of sources. | Recording Data We practice describing and recording information in a variety of ways and from a variety of sources. | Organizing Data We organize information we have gathered by sorting, categorizing, and using various organizational tools. |
Recording Data
We practice describing and recording information in a variety of ways and from a variety of sources.
Interpreting Data We work to understand the data that has been organized from various sources, and draw conclusions from the information. | Presenting Research Findings We can select the appropriate media to communicate what has been learned from the research. | We are inquirers! Being an inquirer involves asking questions, researching those questions, organizing the data gathered, and conducting an analysis of the findings to draw conclusions. |
Interpreting Data
We work to understand the data that has been organized from various sources, and draw conclusions from the information.
Presenting Research Findings
We can select the appropriate media to communicate what has been learned from the research.