by Darlyn Tadeo

O The International Baccalaureate (IB) offers high quality programmes of international education to a worldwide community of school.

O Currently, there are 1 089 IB World Schools offering PYP in 99 countries.

What is PYP?O The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), is the first

curriculum framework for international primary schools, designed for students ages three to 12 (preschool through grade six).

O IB believes that the learner as an inquirer, should be given a holistic education, which addresses all aspects--physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual, in a secure and stimulating environment.

The PYP Model

• The LEARNER is positioned at the core of the circle as it signifies the position it plays, at the heart of the curriculum programme.

• The learner profile is central to the PYP definition of what it means to be internationally minded, and it directs schools to focus on learning.

What do we want LEARNERS to know about? (concepts) to be able to do? (skills) to feel, value and demonstrate? (attitudes)

• The components of the curriculum cycle (written, assessed and taught) are embodied in Approaches to Teaching. It reinforces that learning must be inquiry-based and concept-driven.

• The essential element of skills are represented as Approaches to Learning.

• Attitudes are expressions of the values, beliefs and feelings of the LEARNERS about learning, the environment and people.

How do we want LEARNERS to act?

• Action in PYP can involve service.

• The Exhibition is the culminating activity of the PYP. It requires students to analyse and propose solutions to real-word issues, applying what they have learned throughout their PYP years.

Skills, attitudes, concepts, knowledge and action are taught to the LEARNERS transdisciplinary through the different subject areas: Language, Social Studies, Mathematics, Arts, Science, Physical and Social and Personal Education.

* The most significant and distinctive feature of the IB Primary Years Programme are the six transdisciplinary themes.

* These themes provide IB World Schools with the opportunity to incorporate local and global issues into the curriculum and effectively allow LEARNERS to go beyond the confines of learning within subject areas.

O Education for international mindedness values the world as the broadest context for learning, develops conceptual understanding across a range of subjects and offers opportunities to inquire, act and reflect.

O It is fostered by providing LEARNERS with rich opportunities to learn about world issues and to get involved in activities that encourage responsible citizenship for a better and peaceful world.