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IB PYP Terminology: Learner Profile 'Caring'

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  IB Learner Profile of the term: Caring We show empathy, kindness and respect for others. We think about the feelings of others.  How can you promote caring at home? Caring is one of ten IB Learner Profile traits we strive to teach our students. Caring students show empathy and respect for others through acts of kindness and sharing.  Parents, guardians and family members can promote students being caring at home by pointing out when you notice them helping others without being asked. Other ways to promote being caring at home is to notice when your child is using kind words, thinking of others and doing nice things for others or the environment.  Reading books about being caring is a good way to promote this Learner Profile trait at home. After reading, discuss how the different characters felt and their individual actions. Ask your child to point out examples of when the characters were caring.  Here is a list of books that promote the Learner Profile trait Caring:  Grade K-2 Cliffo
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IB PYP Terminology: Conceptual Understanding

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Concepts Mental Constructs or “frames of mind” that are universal, timeless, abstract, and transferable. (All of the characteristics of an idea.)   An illustration of the concept 'Media' along with its defining characteristics. An illustration of the concept 'Numbers' along with its defining characteristics. An illustration of the concept 'Arts' along with its defining characteristics. Ways You Could Support Your Child as a PYP Parent   As an essential member of your child’s learning community, you play an important role helping them take their learning deeper. One of the ways you can support this is by giving the Positive feed-forward to help your child become a lifelong learner.    Give Feedforward That Goes Beyond the Moment    Teach the Learner, Not the Learning  Move from asking how are you doing? to where to next?  Give Specific Feedback on the Process  Use a combination of statements and questions. Examples: “I like how you did…” “
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IB PYP Terminology: Tips for PYP Parents

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As an important part of your child's learning community, you can play an active role in helping your child grow, supporting both their ability to take charge (Agency) and their understanding of different ideas (Conceptual Understanding). Whether it involves the more structured learning connected to their schooling or the spontaneous, unplanned learning through play, exploration, and life experiences; these strategies will help you empower your child to become a lifelong learner with a sense of agency. Supporting Your Child's Conceptual Understanding: Tips for PYP Parents   Value Process   How did you do that?  Why did you do that?  What strategy did you use?  Harness the Power of Key Concepts (These questions work for everything and every time.)  Form: What does it look like?  Function: How does it work?  Connection: How is it connected to other things?  Change: How does it change?  Causation: Why is it like that? Why is it the way it is?  Perspective: What are the different po
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Approaches to Learning (ATLs) at a Glance

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In the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, Approaches to Learning are integrated into the curriculum to help students become a well-rounded, informed and responsible global citizen.  Listed below are a few prompts which parents and guardians can use to help promote ATLs at home.  Approaches to Learning  Examples of questions  Thinking skills Students analyse ideas and explore creative solutions to solving real world problems. I wonder what would happen if you…..? I wonder why you chose….? Why do you think….? How do you know….? What do you think made this happen? Communication skills Students use diverse media to express their ideas and share their thinking with others. Will you tell me about what you are doing? What happened when you…..? How could you share your learning with…? (talking, drawing, writing, presentations) Research skills Students have systems for finding and sharing their questions and understandings.  I wonder what would happen if you…. How can we find out more
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Exploring transdisciplinary themes in the PYP

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Transdisciplinary Themes  Learning in the PYP is guided by six transdisciplinary themes. Each theme is selected for their relevance to the real world. Themes are structured to support transdisciplinary learning. Students explore the six themes each year of the program with the exception of Early years (EY3&4, Kindergarten) who explore four themes to allow more time for organized and creative play.  The descriptors for each theme are listed below. Who we are   Inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; person, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; and human relationships.  Where we are in place and time  Inquiry into our orientation in place and time; personal histories; the discoveries and explorations of humankind; and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations.  How we express ourselves  Inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values.  How the world works   Inquiry into the natural wo
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Promoting inquiry at home

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Student inquiry is one of the essential elements of the PYP (Primary Years Program).  Inquiry is an approach to learning that involves investigation, reflection, examination and research.  Inquiry-based teaching and learning lets students make decisions on what they would like to learn about a particular topic or concept and gets students to ask questions rather than absorb facts. In the IB,  inquiry-based teaching and learning are  imperative to developing a self-motivated student (student agency) .   Personal inquiries allow students to  focus on their own interests . Personal inquiries are designed to motivate students and help them become passionate about a topic or idea. Personal inquiries help students in developing a deep level of knowledge and can even  inspire students to take action .  Parents and guardians can help promote personal inquiries at home. Listed below are a few ideas to get the inquiry cycle off the ground at home.   • Explore ideas your child has  • Listen and q
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