IB at PS282
Our teachers have been trained on IB and the PYP program is already being implemented within PS 282. Our goal is to be approved and accredited by the IB organization and officially named an IB school within the next school year (2024-2025)!
WHAT IS IB?
PS 282 is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School candidate! Our teachers have already begun delivering the IB Primary Years Program (PYP) in Grades Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 5.
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IB stands for "International Baccalaureate". To our school, it means a comprehensive approach to education while developing inquiring, knowledgeable, confident, and caring young people. The IB program is designed to empower school-aged students to take ownership in their own learning and help them develop future-ready skills to make a difference and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
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The International Baccalaureate receives a high level of respect and recognition among the world’s higher education institutions. For students, success in the IB program often results in advanced standing, course credit, scholarships, and other admissions related benefits at many universities. That may not be a strong bearing now for elementary students, but it is useful when applying for middle schools and beyond. Research shows that students in the IB Primary Years Program performed better than non-IB students in a global International Schools’ Assessment study that ran from 2009-2011. See here for more IB Research.
THE PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAM
What makes PYP schools unique is "how" students are taught, versus "what" students are taught. IB PYP schools strive to develop internationally minded students who are able to understand themselves and others, fostering the attributes necessary to thrive within a global society. The PYP focuses on the development of the whole child as an engaged inquirer, demonstrating ownership for their learning both in and outside of the classroom. In the PYP classroom, learning is concept based rather than topic based, taking place through a transdisciplinary lens. PYP Teachers also teach students multiple approaches to learning, so that students are equipped with the skills essential to becoming lifelong learners.
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IB benefits PS 282 because of its open approach to learning, giving students various opportunities to explore and retain information from different core content areas (Reading, Writing, Math, Social Studies, and Science). IB is seamlessly incorporated into the curriculum in its entirety and welcomes opportunities to bridge and fuse topics and skills within each unit. For example, a 3rd grade history unit can focus on Reading, Writing, and Social Studies in the unit through Reading literature and Writing texts to inform on a time period in history or focusing on a particular country.
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Throughout the year, students receive assessments as evidence of achievement against the goals for each unit.
THE LEARNER PROFILE
As a school community, we embrace the attributes of the International Baccalaureate (IB) learner profile[SG2] . It is a way of thinking that allows people to understand and work with each other in a more humane way, without prejudice. Students learn we can work together to solve important issues, regardless of our cultural backgrounds and ways of life. The Learner Profile is a collection of key traits that support intellectual and personal growth. These traits support the growth of International-Mindedness and are actively cultivated throughout a student’s day.
transdisciplinary learning
Transdisciplinary learning is learning that goes beyond specific subject area disciplines. The PYP employs six different Transdisciplinary Themes to help guide the learning process. These themes are global, timeless, and relevant.
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The Six Transdisciplinary Units
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Who We Are: An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; person, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human.
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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 relationship between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.
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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.
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How the World Works: An inquiry into the natural world and its laws, the interaction 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
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How We Organize Ourselves: An inquiry into the structure and function of organizations; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment.
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Sharing the Planet: An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and other living things; communities and the relationship within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.