IB NEWS #1 ~ Whittier School ~ Boulder, Colorado August 18, 2003

WELCOME TO THE FIRST YEAR OF OUR AUTHORIZATION

For the past 3 years we have worked to understand and implement the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB-PYP). Most of our staff has had either international training or regional workshops along with in-house sessions to build this program at Whittier. To new members of the staff, we are looking forward to sharing what we have learned and welcome you to the team. It is an exciting way to work together in a coherent, schoolwide effort that joins hands around the globe with other IB-PYP schools doing exactly what we are doing. A powerful alliance!

REVIEWING KEY IB COMPONENTS ~ "The Essential Elements of IB-PYP"

The written curriculum incorporates five essential elements:

Concepts ~ brought into focus by the central idea* of each Unit of Inquiry

Skills ~ discrete and concrete tools described in the transdisciplinary toolbox*

Attitudes* ~ Positive attitudes are incorporated into all aspects of our learning and living together

Action ~ embedded in the choose/act/reflect cycle* of each Unit of Inquiry

Knowledge ~ globally significant information explored through the six organizing themes*
..................... of the school’s Program of Inquiry

These essential elements are relevant in all the subject areas and provide for our structured and purposeful inquiries. The aim of the IB-PYP is to help students acquire a holistic understanding of the six transdisciplinary themes through the development of these essential elements. 

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