Level 3 PYP Workshop in Pittsburgh, PA (IB Americas)

Level 3: This workshop is for teachers, coordinators and administrators who have at least one year of experience working at an authorized PYP school or have at least one year of experience working at a candidate PYP school during its candidacy phase. Practitioners with extensive experience in the PYP, through working at an authorized school, who are now working at a candidate school are also eligible to participate in Level 3 workshops.

In addition to the above requirements, participants must be able to meet criteria specific to the workshop as described below.

Developing intercultural competence in the PYP

This workshop is intended for PYP teachers who have attended a Level 2 workshop and have been teaching in a PYP school for at least 2 years. This workshop would briefly review some of the material from Level 2 International mindedness to lay some common ground work. Participants will explore their personal, cultural, or ethnic identity and then discuss how this impacts intercultural understanding. Participants will be asked to define culture and understand its meaning both from a cognitive and emotional perspective. Participants will use visual organizers as a tool to extend their local curriculum and standards to consider a global perspective. Using the Fennes and Hapgood continuum, particiants will seek to understand how we can move from ethnocentrism to intercultural competence by exploring each of the stages and developing strategies which are developmentally appropriate for their students.

The Exhibition

In this workshop participants will further develop their understanding of the following:

• the requirements of the exhibition
• what action means in the context of the exhibition
• what are relevant issues/topics
• what constitutes guidance each phase of the process
• the role of formative feedback throughout the process
• the importance of involving the whole school community

Participants are requested to bring the following to the workshop (either download to their laptops or to bring a hard copy):

• Evidence of student/teacher process and products from their schools’ exhibitions
• One copy of Making the PYP Happen

Math in the PYP (The Role of Mathematics in the PYP)

This workshop is suitable for administrators, coordinators and teachers interested in exploring the role of mathematics across the curriculum.

In this workshop participants will further develop their understanding of the following:

• Individual teachers’ beliefs about and experiences related to mathematics impact on the way they teach math
• Mathematics is a way of thinking, a language for making-meaning: the strands of data-handling, measurement, space and shape are best taught-learned in authentic meaning making contexts such as in units of inquiry
• Students construct their understanding of mathematics, through ever increasing levels of abstraction
• Effective math teaching-learning is achieved through the selective use of a broad range of strategies and tools to meet particular learning needs
• Learners need math tasks which cater for a broad range of mathematical understandings
• A wide range of resources, including manipulatives, supports the development of mathematical understanding
• Inquiry, reflection and collaboration are fundamental to the teaching and learning of mathematics
• How we teach-learn mathematics should be influenced by research
• Putting teachers in the situation of learners assist them in identifying conditions which can support or hinder student learning in general
• Assessment tools and strategies must address understanding of math concepts as well as skills and knowledge
• Changes in attitude and understanding of mathematics and of primary students’ learning of mathematics requires effective communication across the school community.

Participants are requested to bring:

• 1 copy of your school's Programme of Inquiry
• 1 copy of a unit planner that you have been involved in teaching or in developing
• 1 copy of your school's match scope and sequence documents or benchmarks and standards

Location and Accommodation

The workshop will take place at the The Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh Hotel.  IB Americas has arranged for special room rates for the workshop.  Please make your reservations by Wednesday, 14 October 2009, and indicate you are with IB Americas to receive the special rate.  Rates are quoted in US dollars and are exclusive of all taxes.   

**Please note: Checks must be received by the hotel at least 14 days prior to their date of arrival and must include room and tax for the total amount of hotel stay.

Workshop Schedule Outline

Workshop check-in for participants will start at 3.00pm on Friday, 6 November 2009. The level 3 workshop begins on Saturday, 7 November at 8.30am and concludes on Monday, 9 November at 12.00pm.  IB Americas will provide a breakfast, a beverage break, and a lunch on Saturday, 7 November 2009 and Sunday, 8 November 2009.  IB Americas will provide a breakfast and a beverage break on Monday, 9 November 2009.  Please be aware that dinner is not included in the conference registration fee and will not be provided on any of the workshop dates.

International Travel

All non-citizens must present proof of citizenship to enter the United States and Canada.  An acceptable form of identification is a valid passport. 

Ground Transportation 

The hotel is located approximately 30 minutes from Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT).  Express Shuttle offers shared van shuttle service and the fare is approximately USD $20.00 one-way or USD $35.00 round trip.  The ticket counter is centrally located on the lower level of baggage claim area.  Shuttles depart airport every 45 minutes, 7.15am – 7.15pm, and every hour, 8.00pm – 10.00pm.  No reservations required for service from the airport.  For additional information, please call (412) 472-3180.  Taxicabs are also available and the fare is approximately USD $40.00 one-way.  Rates subject to change.Parking

The hotel offers 24-hour valet parking for approximately USD $42.00 per car, per day plus applicable taxes.  Rates subject to change.

Parking

The hotel offers self-parking for approximately USD $20.00 per car, per day plus applicable taxes without in and out privileges.  Valet parking is approximately USD $22.00 per car, per day plus applicable taxes with in and out privileges.  Rates subject to change.

Miscellaneous

Please remember that meeting room temperatures and personal comfort zones vary widely. It is recommended that you bring a sweater or jacket to all sessions.

Draft programme

For more information and to register for this workshop, please download the IB Primary Years Programme Workshop Catalog.

There will be no refunds for cancellations received after 7 October 2009.