IB PYP

Jesse Boyd Elementary School is an authorized World School for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IBPYP). The aim of the all IB programs is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world. In doing so IB has create the Learner Profile and the IB Attitudes. These IB-PYP The Learner Profile and the Attitudes are meant to be an explicit part of daily learning, modeled by both students and staff. These are woven into daily school life—the classroom, the cafeteria, at recess, in All School Meetings, etc. Students also reflect on the attitudes during learning experiences and assessments. When reinforced at home (or when reinforcing the positive attitudes that students learn at home, church and other places), these attitudes become second nature for children.

Learner Profile

The Learner Profile describes what we want students to become as they put all the components of learning together.

Inquirers

Their natural curiosity has been nurtured. They have acquired the skills necessary to conduct purposeful, constructive research. They actively enjoy learning and their love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.

Thinkers

They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to make sound decisions and to solve complex problems.

Communicators

They receive and express ideas and information confidently in more than one language, including the language of mathematical symbols.

Risk takers

They approach unfamiliar situations without anxiety and have the confidence and independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are courageous and articulate in defending those things in which they believe.

Knowledgeable

They have spent time in school exploring themes whichhave global relevance and importance. In doing so, they have acquired a critical mass of significant knowledge.

Principled

They have a sound grasp of the principles of moral reasoning. They have integrity, honesty and a sense of fairness and justice.

Caring

They show sensitivity towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a sense of personal commitment to action and service.

Open-minded

They respect the views, values and traditions of other individuals and cultures, and they are accustomed to seeking and considering different opinions.

Balanced

They understand the importance of physical and mental balance and personal well-being.

Reflective

They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and analyze their personal strengths and weaknesses in a constructive manner.

Attitudes

While we want to develop the Learner Profile, Concepts, and a vast array of Knowledge and Skills, these alone do not constitute an internationally-minded student within the IB-PYP. The IB-PYP Attitudes are a vital focus in the development of positive attitudes towards people, the environment, and learning.

Appreciation

I notice the beauty of people and the world.

Commitment

I stick to the job.

Confidence

I believe in myself.

Cooperation

I work with others.

Creativity

I use my imagination.

Curiosity

I wonder about the world.

Empathy

I understand how other people feel.

Enthusiasm

I enjoy learning and life!

Independence

I can think and work on my own.

Integrity

I tell the truth.

Respect

I treat others the way I want to be treated.

Tolerance

I know there are many kinds of people.

IB PYP takes a curricular approach with inquiry at the center. It is not just a method, but also a philosophy that guides program development and student learning. Students participate in directing their own learning by investigating and exploring the central ideas presented through the Program of Inquiry. In different ways, all students at JBE are engaged in open-ended, relevant, student-centered activities which allow them to explore the essential elements embedded in the program. The traditional subject areas, such as math, science, language arts, and social studies provide students and teachers with a perspective, but the true and universally applicable learning will be the ability to ask purposeful questions, make connections and ultimately to understand the concepts driving the Unit of Inquiry.

Six themes of the Program of Inquiry: Who we are. An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human. Where we are in place and time. An inquiry into orientation in place and time, personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationships between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.
How we express ourselves. An inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic.
How the world works. An inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interactions between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment.
How we organize ourselves. An inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organizations; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment. Sharing the planet An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.

Jesse Boyd Elementary is an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. Within IB, schools serving kindergarden through fifth grade student offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP). Within IB, schools serving kindergarten through sixth grade students apply to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP). IB schools are made up of PYP, MYP (Middle Years Program) and DP (Diploma Program). Jesse Boyd is one of 17 IB schools in SC and joins an international organization comprising of 3,200 schools in 141 countries. You can learn all about the International Baccalaureate at www.ibo.org. Please visit their site because greater detail about the PYP is given.

What is the Primary Years Programme?

The International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum includes the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme, and the Diploma Programme. The PYP is a curriculum framework within which national and state standards can be embeded. In teaching curriculum content (science, social studies, etc.), teachers strive to make connections between learners' existing knowledge and new knowledge. In the PYP, children are provided opportunities to build meaning and refine understanding, principally through structured inquiry. The learner moves from his or her current level of understanding to a new and deeper level of understanding.

How long does it take to become an IB Authorized World School?

The Primary Years Programme Timeline has four phases: (1) Consideration Phase, (2) Candidate Phase, (3) Application Phase, and (4) Operating Phase. In winter 2008, the administrators and staff at Jesse Boyd began the Consideration Phase, which typically takes from 6 months to 1 year. Our goals in this Phase were to communicate with the Jesse Boyd Elementary community about the PYP, plan for and begin implementation by attending summer training, gather support and make informed decisions to begin the authorization process. We concluded the Consideration Phase with the submission of Part A of our formal application in November of 2008. We became a Candidate IB School in December 2008. When a school enters the Consideration Phase, IBNA (IB North America) requires staffing a "coordinator" position to ensure that the many requirements along the way to authorization are met effectively and in a timely fashion and to work with teachers in writing and teaching the Program of Inquiry. At Jesse Boyd, Meredith Rose has been named the IB/PYP Coordinator. During this phase our staff has worked collaboratively to begin implementing the program, had a visit from our IB consultant, and continued our teacher training. This phase also includes submitting Application B in June 2010. The next step was a visit from an authorization team who evaulated our progress in implementing the program. In March 2011 Jesse Boyd received notice from IBO that we have been approved and we are a fully authorized IB World School. Our faculty and staff continues to teach, grow and learn while presenting the IB program to our students.

What is different at an IB Boyd this year related to the PYP?

We will expand our traditional character education curriculum (facilitated by Mrs. Pressley, our counselor) to include the traits that IB has identified as those traits needed by an international minded individual. These traits (called the Learner Profile) include the following: inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective. Parents and other family members can support the development of these traits and the vocabulary by noticing actions and words associated with these traits. Another part of IB are the Attitudes. These attitudes are appreciation, commitment, confidence, cooperation, creativity, curiosity, empathy, enthusiasm, independence, integrity, respect, and tolerance.
Another change parents and students may have already noticed is that we are moving toward classroom activities that allow for teacher guided, student centered. Our teachers implemented inquiry into our instruction four years ago when we added our science coach. IB curriculum will expand that inquiry into all subjects including our related arts, Music, Art, and PE. Parents will also see more authentic assessment of student progress through the use of rubrics and more project based assessments. Parents will also notice an IB report card along with the regular District 7 report card. This report card will help you see the growth for our child in becoming an internationally minded student. You will also be invited to student led parent conferences. As an authorized school our oldest students (5th grade) will work on Exhibition. This is somewhat of a culminating activity to their years as an IB student. This will take place in the spring and you will hear lots more information about this during the school year.

How are teachers prepared to teach the Primary Years Programme?

By the time we submitted Application A, our administrative team participated in PYP Level 1 Training. In addition to IB-sanctioned training, Boyd teachers participate in on-campus professional development sessions during District staff development days, during teacher planning periods, and after school. Many of our teachers have participated in "field trips" to IB Authorized World Schools in Greenville. Ask your child's teacher what he or she liked best about one of those schools and/or visit the website of one of those schools such as Sara Collins Elementary. We've also had Level 2 training for most of our teachers and will continue training. Our teachers are learning and growing each day in the life of teaching in an IBPYP school.

All of us at Boyd are eager to share our vision with parents and the entire Jesse Boyd community. We invite you to come visit, ask questions, and support our progress toward this very special goal!

If you have any questions about IB, please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)or call at 594-4430.