The Communicator
PYP and MYP Update
December 2016
The Current State of IB at Peirce
Primary Years Programme (PYP) - Candidate School - Authorization Visit Spring 2017
**The Application for Authorization has been ACCEPTED! The Verification Visit will be scheduled for the late spring. Dates will be forthcoming. **
Middle Years Programme (MYP) - IB World School - Evaluation Fall 2017
The Learner Profile
We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.
Developing Critical Thinking Skills in your children
The PYP at Peirce
Concept Based Learning in PYP
Purposeful, structured inquiry is a powerful vehicle for learning that promotes meaning and understanding, and challenges students to engage with significant ideas.
Use these concepts at home by asking the questions that go with them.
Function - HOW DOES IT WORK?
Connection - HOW IS IT CONNECTED TO OTHER THINGS?
Change - HOW IS IT CHANGING?
Causation - WHY IS IT LIKE IT IS?
Responsibility - WHAT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY?
Perspective - WHAT ARE THE POINTS OF VIEW?
Reflection - HOW DO WE KNOW?
Spotlight on IB
Kindergarten's Current Unit
Central Idea: Celebrations and traditions are expressions of shared beliefs and values.
Key Concepts: Perspective, Form, Responsibility
Lines of Inquiry:
1. Why people celebrate
2. Features of traditions and celebrations
3. Symbolic representations of celebrations and traditions
How We Organize Ourselves - 4th Grade
Key Concepts: Form, Function, Responsibility
Related Concepts: Government, Representation, Cooperation, Freedom, Justice, Roles
Lines of Inquiry
1. Why governments are formed
2. The role of government in societies
3. The rights of people according to their governments
Getting into the inquiry....
Responsibility
Form
Another student thought it was important to include the "Seeds That Planted Our Government."
Learning a Language
"Every learner benefits from having access to different languages, and, through that access, to different cultures and perspectives. Acquisition of more than one language enriches personal development and helps facilitate international-mindedness."
"Exposure to and experience with languages, with all their richness and diversity, creates an inquisitiveness about life and learning, and a confidence about creating new social interactions. Language provides a vehicle for learners to engage with the world and, in an IB World School, to relate to, and accepts, responsibility for the missing of the IB to 'help to create a better and more peaceful world.'"
Technology in the PYP
Information, Communication, Technology in the PYP encompasses the use of a wide range of digital tools, media and learning environments for teaching, learning and assessing. ICT provides opportunities for the transformation of teaching and learning and enables students to investigate, create, communicate, collaborate, organize and be responsible for their own learning and actions. ICT allows students to make connections and reach a deeper understanding of its relevance and applicability to their everyday lives. Through the use of ICT, learners develop and apply strategies for critical and creative thinking, engage in inquiry, make connections, and apply new understandings and skills in different contexts.
PYP Behind the Scenes
Check out the information that has been shared on the Peirce Website.
One constant that was discussed, was how it is difficult to get students to open up about what they are learning in school and how their day was. Check out this article on Edutopia - "15 Questions to Replace 'How Was School Today'."
Upcoming
4th Grade - Second Step - Monday, December 5th - 8:15-9:30
Kindergarten - Morning Meeting and Inquiry - Thursday, December 8th - 8:15-9:30
Look for more in the Spring!
The MYP at Peirce
Our Learner Profile Focus is on being KNOWLEDGEABLE!
We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Turning Knowledge into ACTION! What can you do in the WORLD with what you are learning in the CLASSROOM?
Olivia Smith- MYP Year 1, 6th grade
Isac Morales- MYP Year 1, 6th grade
Eric Adams- MYP Year 1, 6th grade
William Molina, MYP Year 1, Grade 6
Luz Valencia, MYP Year 1, Grade 6
Ayiana Newcombe. MYP Year 3, Grade 8
Ta'Yah Collins -MYP Year 3, 8th grade
Bobby Betterman-MYP Year 3, 8th grade
Tyrik Erlandson-MYP Year 2, 7th grade
Amelia Harding-MYP Year 2, 7th grade
Yeraldy Segura-MYP Year 2, 7th grade
Isabelle Zahn-MYP Year 2, 7th grade
Here's what MYP students will be learning this month...
Ms. Brugman- Language and Literature
Students in 2nd period will be performing their skits from Writer’s Theater; 3rd period will be completing To Kill a Mockingbird and constructing scrapbooks that tell the story from another character’s point-of-view; 4th period will conclude a two unit study on Civil Rights that included the Little Rock Nine, the Freedom Riders, and a graphic novel, March, by John Lewis
Mr. Skvarenina- Physical and Health Education
As the weather gets colder we will begin a focus on Health related topics.
In 6th, we will study Human Systems. Seventh grade will learn about Nutrition, and
8th graders will explore the FITT Principle.
Mr. Greenwell- Spanish
In 6th grade, students will be learning about how to describe ourselves and our friends.
In 7th grade, students will learn more stem changing verbs and talking about their community.
In 8th grade, students will learn about Argentina and technology. They will also augment their ability to talk about events in the past by learning more preterite tense verbs.
Seventh grade Native Spanish speakers will learn about preterite and imperfect tenses.
Eighth grade Native Spanish speakers will learn about Puerto Rico and continue to read literature and write in Spanish
Ms. Hopkins- Mathematics
This month, students will be designing stain glass windows using parallel and perpendicular lines.
Ms. Hernandez- Science
This month in Science, students will be considering whether an extinct species should be brought back to life as they examine fossils, consider the lines of evidence for evolution, natural selection, and the role of genetic mutations. Students will also evaluate the impact of humans on the extinction/evolution of species.
Ms. Keiner- Year 2 Math &Year 3 Science
Ms. Lawrenz- Year 2, Language and Literature
This December, classes will explore suspense in the short story Three Skeleton Key and analyze the effectiveness of literary devices in creating suspense. As we continue our work with Argument-Centered Education, students will participate in argument-based seminars to defend claims with evidence and reasoning
Ms Jetton- Year 1 & Year 3 Science
Sixth grade students started their 2nd unit, Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes, An Exploration of Earth’s Systems. We will explore various systems on Earth and how they have changed the make-up of the Earth over time.
Eighth grade students are completing their unit on Chemistry and will be assessed at the end of November/beginning of December. Our next unit will focus on Energy.
Ms. Kerkstra- Year 1 Mathematics
We’ve just finished our first unit and we are now moving into our second unit called “Wrap It Up, I’ll Take It!” Students will be working with fractions, ratios and percents. Students are encouraged to discover how these skills are all around us on a daily basis!
Students put a ton of time and effort into their first summative assessment - thanks to all those who went above and beyond to share information on their favorite number! Come check out all the great posters and essays in Room 303.
Ms. Puente-Year 1, Language and Literature
The next novel that the 6th graders will begin reading is Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman. This nonfiction story dramatizes the major life and career events of the magician Harry Houdini. It details his meteoric rise as the world’s greatest illusionist and entertainer. Students’ will participate in class debates and complete their second argument essay.
Ms. Mangas- Years 1-3, Individuals and Societies
In sixth grade, students will continue their explorations of ancient civilizations. Currently the students are working on their final projects. They are using their research skills to choose an Ancient Egyptian Artifact, become an expert about it and ultimately recreate it. Moving forward, the students will be learning about Ancient Greece.
In seventh grade, students are currently in the unit, New World Meets Old World. They have been discovering how the Old World has impacted the creation of the New World. The unit will be wrapping up shortly, and students will begin working on their final papers.
Eighth grade students have just finished their Civil War Unit. The students will be working on their final papers and then moving on a unit on Reconstruction. Through the use of argument centered education, students will explore this topic.
Mr. Roche-Years 1-3, Diverse Learners
8th graders are really getting the hang of graphing equations and soon will be comparing two equations.
7th graders have been reading short stories to understand how to build suspense, how to build conflict, and how to build characters. We’ll be doing some creating writing soon!Ms. Ferrand- Library
How did our MYP Teachers become so KNOWLEDGEABLE? What schools did they attend? What did they study?
Ms. Lawrenz
Mrs. Lawrenz attended earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Marquette University, then earned a master's degree from DePaul University. She has endorsements in Reading from UIC, Math from the University of Chicago, and English as a Second Language from Northeastern Illinois University.
Ms. Keiner
Ms. Zawayta
Ms. Brugman
Mrs. Brugman attended the University of Dayton, where she studied Elementary Education and Education of the Handicapped. At the University of Illinois at Springfield she studied Educational Leadership.
Ms. Hopkins
Ms. Hopkins attended Duquesne University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Business, and Roosevelt University, where she earned a master's degree in Teaching. She also earned a Science Endorsement from Loyola, a Math Endorsement from the University of Chicago, a Special Education Endorsement from Sioux Falls University, an Algebra certification from DePaul, and English Language certification from Northeastern.
Mr Greenwell
Mr. Greenwell has earned a Bachelor or Arts degree in Spanish from Loyola University Chicago, and a Master of Arts degree in Spanish from California State University, Sacramento. He has lived and studied in Spain, Mexico, and Costa Rica. I became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2010. Mr. Greenwell is knowledgeable because he never stops learning.
Ms. Kerkstra
Mrs. Buchbinder
Ms Jetton
Dr. Riemer- MYP Coordinator
Mr. Roche
Ms. Harris, Co-Teacher
Ms. Gerhardt, Co-Teacher
Ms. Ferrand
Ms. Hernandez
Ms. Puente
Ms. Mangas
Next Month's Feature: Thinking Globally
Move Over, Science Fair.... Hello, Energy Fair !
Field Trip Forecast
- The sixth graders will be heading out to Indiana to explore the Dunes Nature Center February 2-3, 2016.
- January 18-20, 7th graders will enjoy an outdoor education at the Lorado Taft Center on the campus of Northern Illinois University.
- On Friday, June 9th, 7th graders will also be visiting our Springfield during the third quarter to learn more about the history and government of the state of Illinois.
- Both 7th and 8th graders will invited to attend Peirce School's trip to our Nation's Capital, Washington, DC from May 10-12, 2017.
Fundrasing: Support needed
For questions, contact Talyia Riemer, IB MYP Coordinator @ (773)534-2440.
International Dance Night
$3 for kids and $5 for adults. All proceeds benefit the Washington D.C.Trip Scholarships.
Friday, Jan 27, 2017, 04:30 PM
Helen C Peirce Public School, West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, IL, United States
Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies
773-534-2841
Dr. Talyia Eve Riemer - MYP Coordinator
773-534-2440
Website: peirce.cps.k12.il.us
Location: 1423 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, IL, United States
Phone: 773-534-2440
PYP Disclaimer for Being A Candidate School in the International Baccalaureate
Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies is a candidate school* for the Primary Years Programme. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Peirce Elementary School believes is important for our students.
*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.
For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit http://www.ibo.org